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Township holds its own during the downturn by watching costs
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 7, 2013
Located in the northern part of Summit County, Northfield Center Township is among a handful of communities that managed to escape the economic downturn relatively unscathed.
While it might be logical to assume that part of the secret was due to the construction of the $250 million to $300 million gambling and entertainment complex, Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, in the village of Northfield, longtime trustee, Richard Reville, said that was not the case.
“We have not gotten any benefits as of yet,” said Reville. “The village is where the racetrack is and that is where the construction is taking place. We are hoping for some spillover when it opens, which is expected to happen in December, but we don’t know if that will happen.”
Reville said the reason the township held its own during the poor economy was simple, “we were able to keep costs down.”
Northfield Center is currently home to a little over 6,000 residents who did not lose services as a result of the poor economy, and the township did not lay off its employees.
In addition to watching expenditures, Reville said the township has stabilized some of its costs as a result of a joint fire district it formed with Sagamore Hills in 2010.
“We went from a call-in department to one that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Reville said.
The township also opted to sign a contract with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to provide police services.
“Our greatest expense was the road department but we watched our p’s and q’s closely,” Reville said.
There is no income tax, but the road and fire department levies have to be renewed to maintain services.
There were some foreclosures. The township has applied for Moving Ohio Forward demolition money in order to take down about a half dozen dilapidated structures.
Founded in 1807 by Isaac Bacon, the township is one of four communities once known as Old Northfield. The others were Macedonia, Sagamore Hills, and the village of Northfield. Macedonia broke away first, followed by Sagamore Hills, and in 1935 the township and village separated.
All four are part of the Nordonia Hills Local School District. Northfield Center Township and Macedonia have formed a joint economic development district (JEDD).
The JEDD contract was approved in 1995, levying a tax on employee wages and business net profits on those in the JEDD area. The township and Macedonia split a percentage of the income tax from the JEDD.
The Crossings at Golden Link, located at Northfield (Route 8) and Aurora (Route 82) roads, is part of the JEDD. The shopping center includes stores like Giant Eagle, Target, Lowe’s, Malley’s Chocolates and TNT Tanning.
“We do receive some nominal money from the JEDD but most of it is used to pay for the additional sheriff protection that is needed to take care of it.”
Reville said the township does have a small number of manufacturing companies like Northfield Casting Incorporated on Toth Drive, and there is also a commercial zone where businesses like Spitzer Chevrolet are located.
He said there are a number of popular restaurants like the Beer and Belly Deli, Luna’s and PatDees Pub & Eatery as well as a dentist and law office.
“We have a great bakery (Stan’s Northfield Bakery) in town,” said Reville, who also owns his own business, Reville Wholesale Distributing on Olde Eight Road.
Dmitri’s Barber Shop on Olde Eight Road is one of the newest additions to Northfield Center Township.
On March 2, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Emergency Assistance Center at 9199 Olde Eight Road, which provides food and other items to those in need.
Aside from being fiscally sound, Reville said the township does have a lot to offer to both residents and visitors.
“Our community has some unique characteristics,” he said. “We are split in half by the highway and we are a combination of older and new buildings.
“Brandywine Falls is right across the street from us and Brandywine Creek runs through the township.
“Cuyahoga Valley National Park is right behind us, and we have a lot of walking trails that go through Summit County Metro Parks,” Reville said.
“There is also a conservancy district located directly behind the mall where the Target is, and that land will stay vacant.”
There are two parks, Beacon Hills and Crestwood. While Crestwood is primarily a children’s playground, Beacon Hills offers playground facilities, an adult and children’s fitness training station, two tennis courts and a basketball court.
In the summer, there are two free concerts and an ice cream social that take place around the gazebo, which is adjacent to township hall. There are also benches and picnic tables in the township square. During the first week of December, there is a holiday lighting ceremony in the gazebo area, which includes a visit from Santa, singing and snacks.
The Epiphany Lutheran Church on Valley View Road now serves as a senior center, where people can meet and enjoy a variety of activities, and the VFW Post 6768, located on Olde Road, holds a number of events for veterans in the area.
There are also a few historical sites, including the current township hall, which was built in 1909 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The town hall once doubled as a movie theater,” said Northfield Center Administrator Sam Ciocco, who is also a member of the Historical Society of Olde Northfield.
“A woman who lived a few houses away and was a teenager back in 1930 told me a story about how the teenage boys and girls would sit separately until the lights went off, and then there would be a mad switch so they could sit with their boyfriend or girlfriend,” said Ciocco, who has been administrator since 1994. “They would have to scramble back and forth a few times since the reels were changed often.”
The Palmer House Museum on Olde Eight Road serves as the headquarters for the historical society, and school groups and scout troops attend tours at the museum.
Fiscal Officer, Andy LaGuardia, who has lived in the township most of his life, said one of the biggest changes he has seen is an increase in residential development.
“When I grew up there was a lot of open space,” said LaGuardia.
“I think one of the biggest reasons for the influx is our proximity to the highway. We are right next to 271 and Route 8 and we are close to the turnpike. It is an ideal location for people working in Akron or Cleveland. When you factor all that in with the quality of life, I think that makes the township an ideal place to live.”
LaGuardia said he hopes the racino will lead to more people stopping off in the township and patronizing local businesses.
“I would also like to see new businesses coming to the township.”
“We have been fortunate,” said Reville. “We have a nice quiet community and we’ve been able to maintain it without raising taxes or cutting services. Now that the racino is going up in Northfield Village, there will be more restaurants and activities for our residents nearby.”