Medina Township: Weymouth School must be preserved
letter to the editor
To the Editor:
Nearly five years ago, Medina Township Trustees created an agreement that the Weymouth Preservation Society would archive and display historic records and artifacts in the old Weymouth school built in 1925. The arrangement granted permission to use the building as a museum and community center at no cost in exchange for renovating the building and preserving, displaying and offering research help about Medina Township. Private funds in excess of $40,000 were used to restore the school. This school has also received historic designation as the first school building for handicapped children in the state and is a significant Medina County landmark; one of the few remaining three-room schoolhouses in the county. See for yourself at www.weymouthpreservationsociety.com.
For over two years, the Medina Township Trustees negotiated an agreement with another tenant in the building (Medina Soccer Association) to purchase the attached buildings within the complex and with deed restrictions in place to protect the museum. At the final call for a vote, Trustee Ken DeMichael voted no and introduced a for-profit company to purchase the building (which current zoning does not allow) for a larger offer than what was in hand. The spokesperson from Intervention for Peace made statements at public meetings initially stating they need all the building space including the museum, and in subsequent meetings claimed to have reached an agreement with WPS to share the space. This simply is not true. Valuable museum artifacts and archives need to be secure and not in an open office or community room. WPS did not agree to any such conditions.
While a few township residents said "sell," those residents were not aware of the significance of the historic building, nor the prior agreements put forth by the trustees and contained in the official township minutes.
The issue is not about money into the township coffers; it boils down to integrity in agreements and historic preservation of a significant building. Why would private citizens have devoted countless hours and their own money to make the Weymouth School stand proud? Their efforts certainly added to the increased value of the surrounding area. The township taxpayers saved the significant expense of renovating a historic structure. After five years, reversing an agreement is not fair, ethical or in the best interest of the township’s history.
Now, all residents of Medina Township should demand that any transfer of ownership protects the museum in its entirety. Township voters need to be aware of the shenanigans Mr. DeMichael has done to score a political point.
We will remember that Trustees Ray Jarrett and Bill Ostmann are doing the right thing and need to be supported. As for Mr. DeMichael, he should do the right thing and support the museum as agreed to without further discourse. Please contact the Medina Township Trustees at 330-725-5713 or contact through https://medinatownship.com/contact-us/ and voice your support to save the Weymouth School and museum today and for the future.
Brian and Carole Feron
Medina
Nearly five years ago, Medina Township Trustees created an agreement that the Weymouth Preservation Society would archive and display historic records and artifacts in the old Weymouth school built in 1925. The arrangement granted permission to use the building as a museum and community center at no cost in exchange for renovating the building and preserving, displaying and offering research help about Medina Township. Private funds in excess of $40,000 were used to restore the school. This school has also received historic designation as the first school building for handicapped children in the state and is a significant Medina County landmark; one of the few remaining three-room schoolhouses in the county. See for yourself at www.weymouthpreservationsociety.com.
For over two years, the Medina Township Trustees negotiated an agreement with another tenant in the building (Medina Soccer Association) to purchase the attached buildings within the complex and with deed restrictions in place to protect the museum. At the final call for a vote, Trustee Ken DeMichael voted no and introduced a for-profit company to purchase the building (which current zoning does not allow) for a larger offer than what was in hand. The spokesperson from Intervention for Peace made statements at public meetings initially stating they need all the building space including the museum, and in subsequent meetings claimed to have reached an agreement with WPS to share the space. This simply is not true. Valuable museum artifacts and archives need to be secure and not in an open office or community room. WPS did not agree to any such conditions.
While a few township residents said "sell," those residents were not aware of the significance of the historic building, nor the prior agreements put forth by the trustees and contained in the official township minutes.
The issue is not about money into the township coffers; it boils down to integrity in agreements and historic preservation of a significant building. Why would private citizens have devoted countless hours and their own money to make the Weymouth School stand proud? Their efforts certainly added to the increased value of the surrounding area. The township taxpayers saved the significant expense of renovating a historic structure. After five years, reversing an agreement is not fair, ethical or in the best interest of the township’s history.
Now, all residents of Medina Township should demand that any transfer of ownership protects the museum in its entirety. Township voters need to be aware of the shenanigans Mr. DeMichael has done to score a political point.
We will remember that Trustees Ray Jarrett and Bill Ostmann are doing the right thing and need to be supported. As for Mr. DeMichael, he should do the right thing and support the museum as agreed to without further discourse. Please contact the Medina Township Trustees at 330-725-5713 or contact through https://medinatownship.com/contact-us/ and voice your support to save the Weymouth School and museum today and for the future.
Brian and Carole Feron
Medina
