The Center Township Supervisors helped in negotiations between the Aultman Fire Department and the town’s citizens over the use of the fire department’s grounds as a community park.
The issue had become a contentious one as rumors spread on social media about the park. It nearly came to a head last night as groups representing the town’s citizens and the Aultman Fire Department were on hand, and a majority of the meeting was taken up with discussion on the potential use of the land. One of the sticking points on the agreement was the length of the lease. While the fire department wanted a 5-year lease to avoid it lapsing and being forgotten about after a long term agreement ends, the citizens wanted a 20-year-lease, which would put them in a better position to get grants for park improvements. Township Supervisor John Bertolino suggested that the lease be for 20 years, but revisited every five to see if there are tweaks to be made as a compromise, which both sides accepted.
The fire department also said the agreement would include the lower lot and the walking trail portion of the upper lot, but not the whole upper lot as that was needed for parking for gun bash fundraisers and to be used as a potential landing pad for Life-Flight helicopters. A request to add benches, small history plaques and memorial trees was rejected by the fire department, saying that they would not lease the upper lot land, but since the walking trail was there, they would allow the lease for the use of the walking trail only, provided the trail gravel is sealed by October.
Gregory Beckham spoke on behalf of the town’s citizens last night, and said he was happy that the negotiations were able to go on last night, and said that while things were rough for a while, he felt that they were closer to the long-term lease last night.
The details hashed out last night will how head to the solicitor so a proper agreement can be drawn up to be signed off by the township and the fire department.
