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The Danbury Township Board of Trustees held a public meeting, on August 5, 2010 at the Danbury Senior Center, 8470 E. Harbor Road, Marblehead, OH, and beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Mr. David M. Hirt, Mr. Charles B. Scott, and Ms. Dianne M. Rozak.
Also present: Fiscal Officer, Shelley Seamon.
Visitors to the meeting were: Sue Marr, Shannon Marr, Bob Sidwell, Bill Coder, Helen Wolf, Nancy Dunham, Peg Starcher, Matt Seamon, Tom Walker, Bea Walker, Nancy Beadle, Kathy Leonard, Richard Taylor, Jeanne Huskey, Darrell Opfer, Sarah Weber-Sandusky Register, Gloria Rhyner, John Rhyner, Sharon Coder, Tom Bryant, Sam Battaglia, Don Lewis, Sally Williams, Gwen Addy, Keith Addy, and Ray Machar.
The purpose of the public meeting was to allow the Ottawa County Historical Society and residents to present their thoughts and reasoning to why the Danbury Township Board of Trustees should potentially take over the Keeper’s House. Ms. Rozak stated that the board did not have a formal agenda for the meeting; they were there to gain input regarding the potential acquisition from those in attendance which was extremely important.
Bill Coder, Volunteer Coordinator of OCHS stated that President, Paul Moon was out of town but past presidents of the OCHS in attendance were Nancy Dunham and Dick Taylor. Mr. Coder stated the OCHS members had discussed what a wonderful job that the Danbury Township Trustees had done with Lake Pointe Park, Battlefield Park, and Meadowbrook Park and for perpetuity reasons it was time that the township trustees partner with the OCHS to preserve The Keeper’s House for the future. He also stated that The Keeper’s House has roughly 5,000 visitors per year and there were a lot of excellent programs, but with the aging committee members and the shortage of volunteers, the members are no longer able to maintain the up keep of the building and grounds.
Nancy Dunham agreed with Mr. Coder statements. Sally Williams stated that The Keeper’s House would be an asset to the township. Dick Taylor stressed that the perpetuity was so important to preservation of The Keeper’s House for the future. Jeanne Huskey stated the need there was for younger people and partnering with the township maybe one way to achieve this. Sam Battaglia stated it was a great idea to partnership with the township.
John Rhyner asked what the initial cost to the township was and what the yearly costs would be. Mr. Coder stated that there was not mortgage currently on the house itself, there was mortgage of about $30,000.00 which was owed on the lots, but the OCHS would repay the township for paying off the mortgage. As far as yearly cost there would be a monthly electric bill, an annual water assessment of $400.00 which is due until 2018, an annual payment for the alarm system of $200.00 and the cost of mowing the grounds. Ms. Rozak stated that the board had previously discussed that mowing with Road Superintendent, Jim Dress and he felt that was something that was manageable. Another expense discussed was liability insurance.
Mr. Coder stated that the main idea was to preserve this wonderful place for our children and grandchildren. It is such a historical landmark and hadn’t the OCHS stepped up in 1989 it would not be what it is today.
John Rhyner asked what the future maintenance costs for The Keeper’s House were. Mr. Coder stated that the roof was water proof, there was a moss condition on the north side of the house which needed to be addressed and that dehumidification may be needed in the cellar. He also stated that a masonry reported completed in July of 2009 was given to the township trustees and at that time there was a moister problem, but currently there was not. Sally Williams stated that the roof was comparatively new and that it has a long life ahead of it.
John Rhyner asked who would be responsible for the maintenance. Mr. Coder stated that the OCHS would be responsible for the interior maintenance of the building and the township would be responsible for the exterior maintenance of the building and grounds.
Nancy Dunham stated that details to repay the mortgage had not been worked out yet, asking if there would be a lease or would the OCHS pay rent. Ms. Rozak explained that in order to allow the title to transfer, the township would have to pay off the current mortgage on the lots which would come from the general fund, a formal agreement would be drawn for repayment and once the original amount of the mortgage was satisfied there would not be a continuing payment to the township for rent.
Matt Seamon asked if the township could just take over the maintenance and mowing. Ms. Rozak stated the township could not and explained why. Mr. Seamon stated for example; I buy a car and find out I can’t make the payment, so I asked someone to take over the payment but I still want to drive the car.
Ms. Rozak explained that there was separate entity at the Marblehead Lighthouse called the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society; they operate out of the onsite Keeper’s House on the grounds of the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. The park itself is owned by the State of Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation. It is managed by East Harbor State Park. The society is permitted to collect funds from the lighthouse tours, donations, and memberships; they in turn put the money back into the museum maintaining displays.
Darrell Opfer asked if there was painting to be done did the State of Ohio take care of it.
Ms. Rozak stated that the State of Ohio did and explained that they take care of all of the maintenance.
Dave Hirt asked questions regarding the plumbing and heating in the building. Mr. Coder explained that there was no running water, portable toilets were used, and that there were no heating or sewage systems.
Sue Marr wanted it clarified that the OCHS would still do their programs, fund raising and collect donations to cover expenses and repay the mortgage to the township. It was also discussed that the fund raisers in the past have been able to sustain the current expenses and money would still be received to subsidize interior maintenance and expenses. Keith Addy clarified that the not all of the money received was from donations; the OCHS also received grants. The number of grants received was discussed. Kathy Leonard provided lecture for those in attendance regarding The Keeper’s House.
Tom Bryant asked who owned the property the cemetery was on and who maintained it.
Ms. Rozak stated that the township owned the property and that it was maintained by the township.
Darrell Opfer asked what the procedure would be followed to transfers the title. Ms. Rozak explained the procedures the township would follow and Mr. Coder explained the procedures that the OCHS would follow.
Ms. Rozak asked in there was anyone opposed, stating people being in support of the acquisition, opposition was just as important.
Mr. Scott explained that the township was currently involved with remodeling of the building on 419 S. Bridge Road and preparing for renovations to the township hall and a lot of money is being spent. Mr. Scott stressed the importance of budgeting, the trustees consulting with the fiscal officer and gaining input from the community before decisions are made, in order that tax dollars are being spent responsibly.
Ms. Rozak explained that the township had various funds and that the general fund was the fund with the most flexible fund and these funds were not unlimited. She also explained that the township was very fortunate given the state of other governmental entities that were struggling and the township had to be very careful with the way general funds were spent in order that the township could accomplish everything it needs to.
Darrell Opfer voiced his concern on turning the responsibility of the mortgage to the township, did it accomplish what the OCHS intended. Ms. Rozak stated that the mortgage was not a continuing obligation; once the mortgage was repaid rent would not be collected from the OCHS.
Ray Machar stated that no one was stepping up and that they just did not have the ability to maintain the property.
Bob Sidwell stated that the historical society has regularly made the mortgage payment and would continue to do so from donations. It was also discussed that the mortgage is paid ahead.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
The only official public record of Danbury Township is the paper file(s) located at Danbury Township Hall. The official approved copy of township minutes including attachments and references is available for review or purchase. Contact the Township Fiscal Officer at (419) 732-3039 or via e-mail fiscalofficer@danburytownship.com to make arrangements for record review or purchase.
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