That annexation left the township still responsible for fire and ambulance service there, something the trustees have been trying to get out of or have Centerville pay for ever since.
Cornerstone is a mixed-use development that has retail, restraints and professional offices. Centerville and Sugarcreek Twp. have been battling for years over who will pay for fire and ambulance services there. This dispute has led to six law suits, two of which are still underway.
The township trustees said they want to get funding for the new fire district approved by voters because it is not clear when the litigation will end.
“It affords us some protection against annexation,” said Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany. “The residents of Sugarcreek are not going to fund the gains of Centerville.”
Centerville has a lawsuit pending which accuses Sugarcreek Twp. of misusing money generated from the Cornerstone Development.
“The city of Centerville is disappointed that the Sugarcreek Township trustees would be so irresponsible to put a new fire district on the November ballot,” said Marueen Russel Hodgson, Community Resources Coordinator for the city of Centerville. “We want to make sure the employees and travelers have fire and EMS protection at all times.”
Oberer Developers, which oversees Cornerstone, also said they oppose the trustees’ decision. The company sued the township over the new fire district last year, and an Ohio Supreme Court ruling kept it off of the ballot. The company says they plan to fight it in court again.
“We don’t think that the township trustees have any business funding a fire levy that could be deemed illegal here in the next few weeks.”
Tiffany said the township is willing to continue negotiating with Centerville over EMS services and possibly coming to an agreement in which Centerville can contract with the new district.
“There is a lot of time between now in November,” Tiffany said. “Hopefully we can work something out.”
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