During their December meeting, Brandon Hanebuth approached the Clearwater Twp. Board to express his disappointment with some of the things that have been occurring at the board level.

Hanebuth explained the residents are frustrated in regard to the annexation with the City of Clearwater and at the potential of a new township fire department, and are asking the board to make informed decisions for the betterment of the township and to be transparent to their constituents. 

“We need to hear from residents if there’s that much concern,” said Supervisor Scott Miller. “We’ve got emails, phone numbers, and monthly meetings; we respond to questions and concerns. We’re not trying to hide anything.”

Miller explained the fire committee is moving slowly, and once they’ve finished, residents will be brought into the discussion. He reiterated that the townships don’t want to start their own fire department but are looking into it in case it becomes necessary in the future.

Hanebuth also expressed frustration with the issue of Shane Potter needing access to his property, which is currently landlocked and needs to be gained through Hanebuth’s property. He indicated he’d been told Potter had approval from the township board outside a meeting to begin removing trees at the access point, which he’s begun doing, even though he and Hanebuth haven’t come to an agreement concerning it yet.

Like they stated last month, the board said they didn’t feel this was a township issue and hoped the two could work together to come up with an agreement. 

“I think you guys are doing a great job and appreciate all that you do,” said Hanebuth. “I just wanted to express my frustrations with a few things.”

Later in the meeting the township returned to the Shane Potter public hearing issue, discussing what Chairman Bill Langenbacher had discovered concerning the right-of-way. Hanebuth said his main concern with the access is that the county highway department wouldn’t approve it, however Miller explained that the county can’t landlock property, which it would be doing if approval wasn’t granted.

Hanebuth also explained he was concerned that he would be back in front of the board in the future when the landowner wanted another access to the property. He was reminded that he can’t be forced to sell his property in order to grant it.

“This really isn’t the township’s jurisdiction,” Langenbacher restated. “The ball is in your court.”

Orderly Annexation

The township’s orderly annexation agreement with the City of Clearwater was again discussed. During their recent meeting, the city didn’t approve the agreement that had been put into place last year but never signed, instead stating they wanted to include a property that wasn’t in the original agreement. They believe they would have been able to get the property if the annexation had been signed and in place.

A discussion was held on zoning; the parcel isn’t being used as commercial property. Twp. Attorney Michael Couri recommended the township turn down the new agreement because it doesn’t fit into the annexation.

The second agreement issue had to do with wording regarding parcels abutting sewer lines. The agreement last month stated parcels abutting sewer lines but not water lines when it should have been both. Couri recommended the township revoke their motion made at the November 2019 meeting and to sign the agreement with the correct wording. A motion passed to do so.

Other Business

The board approved a two-year assessment contract with Wright Co. In 2022 the cost will be $14 per parcel, in 2023 it will be $15. 

The budget meeting was set for Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

The next Clearwater Twp. Board meeting will be Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m.