New houses to come to Brunswick Hills Township

BRUNSWICK HILLS TWP. — Trustees unanimously approved an application Tuesday for a new housing development in the township. Tom Sutcliffe, land and acquisition manager for Drees Homes, presented an application proposing about 39 homes on a property near the corner of Substation and Grafton roads. "I'm here to ask for adoption of the zoning commission's recommendation," said Sutcliffe. "It's already zoned as R-1 (residential.) It follows all development resolutions." Sutcliffe addressed issues brought up by residents such has fire and safety concerns, which he said are negated by one of the township's fire stations being 2.5 miles from the last home in the development. He also addressed concerns such as road conditions. He said the company will have an engineer look at the roads two years after the last home is built. In other news Fire Chief Anthony Strazzo asked the board to approve a donation to allow the fire department to make a donation to the Medina County Career Center."I provided a resolution to the trustees to donate turnout gear, which has reached its 10-year useable lifespan mandated by the (National Fire Protection Association) standards, to the Medina County Career Center," said Strazzo. "They use it for the high school kids who are not yet participating in actual live fire training."Strazzo also presented the board and residents with the department's 2019 report, where he highlighted progresses made by the department."There are a couple things that stick out as our milestones," said Strazzo. "Obviously, we hired our first full-time personnel, which was a long process."Additionally, the Insurance Services Organization dropped the township's safety rating in 2019 from four to three, which will give residents the chance to lower insurance rates, he said."We had 990 responses last year," said Strazzo. "That's actually a decrease of 16 responses from the previous year." Police Chief Tim Sopkovich asked the board to swear in reserve officer Brian Ryks toward the beginning of the meeting. "Right now, I only have one reserve officer," said Sopkovich. "I like to have guys that have experience ... Brian is one of those guys. He's got an extensive law enforcement career. He started off in the Navy."He will be available to assist the department with emergencies while needed as well as with community events. Contact reporter Alyssa Alfano at (330) 721-4063 or aalfano@medina-gazette.com.