By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
The Northwest Township Trustees met for their regular session July 28, 2026, to adopt a new zoning plan and discuss several local property issues.
Trustees Robert Kissinger II, Paul Green and Mary Jo Gniwekowski, along with Fiscal Officer Peggy Disbro, were in attendance.
Township resident Jeff Bunker met with the board to discuss trees and debris falling into a utility easement next to his property. Bunker asked the trustees to trim or remove the trees and close the easement.
Green explained that the easement is intended for access and that the township is not responsible for its maintenance.
He said most easements outside municipalities are owned by Williams County. Gniwekowski added that property owners may trim branches extending over their property lines and that the public may also use the easement as needed.
Trustees also noted that no one is permitted to build within the easement, but they were unsure who owns the nearby trees.
Doug Crawford, representing the Northwest Township Fire Department, reported that several Boy Scout groups, totaling 40 to 50 children, recently visited the fire station to earn merit badges.
Crawford also introduced a new firefighter, Jamie Wise, to the department. He reported that a junior firefighter was recently injured while responding to a call but is expected to make a full recovery.
Crawford then provided an update on the Water Board. He said an Ohio Water Development Authority payment was completed July 1, 2026, and the trustees agreed to allow township employees to mow the grass behind the water wells.
Trustees also discussed a zoning matter involving the former Nettle Lake Church property. The church was recently sold, and the new owners would like to change the property’s zoning from commercial to residential. Gniwekowski said she advised the owners to review their deed before proceeding.
Following discussion, the trustees voted to adopt a resolution approving a new zoning plan that includes the Northwest Water District.