Madison trustees again delay action on Niss Waterfall Preserve project

MANSFIELD - A Clean Ohio grant has been approved that will allow the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to buy nearly 300 acres of land just west of Mansfield’s southern limits and create the Niss Waterfall Preserve. However, the non-profit organization based in the Cleveland suburb of Moreland Hills still needs resolutions of support from Madison and Washington townships and the Richland County Commissioners before it can receive the money.

“The committee that scores and ranks these Clean Ohio Grant applications met on Thursday of last week and this project ranked number two of six projects,” said Western Reserve vice president of western field operations Andy McDowell, who gave a project update Monday at the Madison Township trustees’ regular meeting. “The funding is there and is ready for us pending us getting the final pieces of paperwork, which would include a resolution of support from both townships and the county commissioners.”

McDowell and director of acquisitions Joe Leslie told trustees and county commissioners during separate presentations last month that their organization wants to buy four parcels that formerly made up the Weaver farm near the intersection of South Home Road and Marion Avenue. The land, which is owned by Niss Marion LLC of Mansfield and partly abuts the Richland B&O Trail, would be turned into a local public preserve that would be open to the public once Western Reserve determines what type of trails and facilities are needed.

Madison trustees and the county commissioners each expressed reservations during the presentations. Commissioners indicated that constituents were concerned that the owners would profit from tax dollars spent on land that they already profited from by logging. An appraisal contracted by Western Reserve determined the value of the land at just over $3 million. Madison trustees wanted to do more project review.

Trustees’ chairman Dan Fletcher said Monday that he still has reservations after touring the property earlier this month with the county commissioners and Western Reserve officials, noting that 300 acres is a “big chunk” in that corner of the township. He also was concerned that putting the land in a conservancy would eliminate tax revenue from any possible commercial development, even though it currently generates only about $5,900 because 25 percent of the land is farmed and there is a current agricultural use value (CAUV) reduction in place.

McDowell admitted that the proposal does involve a lot of land but added that “big chunks” aren’t available very often. “In our experience, if you don’t get a large chunk or two set aside when you have the opportunity to do so, you can’t retrofit it into the landscape once it’s gone.”

McDowell also pointed out that while a majority of the land would have a passive use, a pair of 5-acre sites on the north and south sides of the property adjacent to planned parking areas would be free and clear of grant restrictions and could be used for active recreation such as playgrounds, ball fields and exercise courses. Those areas could be developed by Western Reserve or groups such as the trustees or other organizations willing to maintain them.

Trustee Jim Houser was concerned about fire department response time to an emergency at the site. Chief Ron Luttrell estimated it would take a squad 7 to 10 minutes to respond from Station 2 on Belmont Avenue.

Madison trustees said they would like to discuss concerns with Washington Township trustees and have proposed a possible joint meeting on July 23. Western Reserve officials are scheduled to meet with the Washington Township trustees July 19 and with county commissioners July 24 to again seek resolutions of support.

In other business, Luttrell reported that the township has been awarded a $68,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to buy new equipment. The grant will pay most of the cost of nearly 12,000 feet of hose in four different diameters, 20 nozzles of different sizes and styles, and four valves to mount on vehicles.

Trustees also received a bid of $36,862 from the Shelly Company of Mansfield to chip and seal Trimble Road from Ohio 39 to the Mansfield city limits, including a portion of Poth Road. No action was taken and the bid will be discussed at a planned special meeting July 23.