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Volume 53, No. 4
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Newbury Trustees Submit Proposal to West Geauga BOE Staff Report
SUBMITTED
Among the adoptable cats at the Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary is male “jumbo senior” Domino, 10.
Happy Tails Fundraiser Set for July 17 Staff Report Geauga County cat lovers would ensure continued care for residents of Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary at Cat’s Inn in Newbury Township by purchasing tickets for the Summer Feline Fundraiser July 17. Proceeds from the event, to be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 752 Water Street in Chardon, are especially necessary in light of the last year, said sanctuary President Tom Vasko. “The event will provide muchneed assistance for the care of Happy Tails’ cats, many of whom are old, have special needs or both. Due to COVID, contributions have decreased, but expenses remain for general sheltering, veterinary care, etc.,” he said. Long-time sanctuary supporter Doreen Lazarus said besides those sheltered at Cat’s Inn, there are about 50 being fostered at homes in and around Geauga County. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. July 17 and the event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with overflow parking available across the street at Sage’s Apples. Tickets for the fundraiser are $35. Wood-fired vegetarian and meat pizzas baked on-site by Wood See Happy Tails • Page 3
Newbury Township Trustees submitted a proposal June 14 to acquire the approximately 39 acres containing the former Newbury Schools buildings from the West Geauga Schools Board of Education. The West Geauga school board had acquired the real estate as part of the June 30, 2020, school district transfer of Newbury Schools into West Geauga Schools. The township trustees’ proposal was in response to a May 28, 2021, request for a proposal from West Geauga Schools. Board Chairman and Trustee William Skomrock appointed a five-member task force in July 2020 to gather information about the property and make recommendations to trustees about the feasibility of acquiring the property for a community center. The task force has met more than 30 times since July 2020 and has researched demand for rental space, historic operating expense, demolition and construction costs, and operations of similar former school buildings owned by municipalities in nearby communities. The property consists of the former high school and elementary school buildings, athletic fields, parking lots, playground area and an outdoor laboratory located in a wetland area in the southeast corner of the property. The improvements to the property were made at various times, ranging from the construction of the original part of the high school in 1928 to the football/soccer stands erected in 2018. The task force has discussed a number of possibilities for development of the property, including
Garden Clubs Master Gardeners Offer Free Class
July 12, 7-9 p.m. Geauga County Master Gardener Volunteers will host a free event at Messenger Century Farm, 17098 Messenger Road, Auburn Township. Visit a working blueberry farm. Advance registration is recommended at Geauga County OSU Extension Office, Patterson Center or by calling 440-834-4656.
Aquilegia Garden Club
JOHN KARLOVEC/KMG
Newbury Township Trustees recently submitted a proposal to West Geauga Schools Board of Education to acquire the approximately 39 acres containing the former Newbury Schools buildings. The West Geauga school board acknowledged the proposal at its June 28 meeting, went into executive session and adjourned the meeting without taking any action.
retention, partial demolition or full demolition of the existing high school building. Each scenario carries its own set of construction costs, operating costs and resulting benefits. “The acquisition of this property is a unique opportunity for Newbury residents to control management and development of this 39-acre property, which is adjacent to Newbury’s 88-acre Oberland Park,” Skomrock said in a June 24 news release. “While much has been accomplished in the past 12 months, more research is needed.” In order for this acquisition to take place, Skomrock said the township would need to: • Complete research on construction and operating costs, • Complete negotiations and come to an agreement with West Geauga Schools, • Obtain approval of Newbury voters for any ballot issue to support the operation of the property.
West Geauga school board members have indicated they would like to dispose of the property and they have two options for disposal: transfer to another governmental entity or a public auction. “A public auction would mean the property would be in private hands and the residents of Newbury would lose the opportunity to have any input over its future use,” the news release stated. Skomrock said interested parties can follow future developments on this acquisition by attending weekly task force meetings Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at Newbury Township Hall or attending trustees meetings on the first and third Wednesdays in the township hall at 7 p.m. Those interested can attend the meetings in person or via Zoom. “Please consult the township’s website for links to Zoom and for See Newbury • Page 3
July 15, 10:30 a.m. Aquilegia Garden Club will host a program on cutting gardens by Lake County OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer Susan Cowling at Christ Presbyterian Church. The Garden Club of Ohio state convention will be held July 20-22 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Twinsburg. Visit gardenclubofohio.org for information.
CV Herb Society Meets
July 16, 10 a.m. The Chagrin Valley Herb Society will meet at the Messenger Century Farm in Auburn Township to hear Dee Belew speak about the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and growing blueberries. Email chagrinvalleyherbsociety@gmail. com to RSVP for the meeting.
Horticulture Flower Show
July 16, 1-5 p.m. July 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gates Mills Garden Club is sponsoring its bi-annual horticulture flower show. The event which is free and open to the public will be held at Esquire’s Cottage, the Club’s privately owned property located at 1280 Chagrin River Road in Gates Mills. For information, visit www.thegatesmillsgardenclub.com.
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