Municipality acquires 300 acres

Murrysville is the new owner of about 300 acres of property that officials said they plan to develop to meet the recreational needs of the municipality.

Mayor Ruth Fowler said Friday she is excited about the prospect of developing the property, which is off Wiestertown Road in the northeastern section of the municipality, because the land is flat.

"It is an exciting opportunity," Fowler said. "It is pretty flat. The land was farmed. So a minimum amount of earth will have to be moved to put in ballfields."

The mayor said resident groups have identified athletic fields as the key recreational opportunity that the municipality needs.

Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance to spend $1.35 million to purchase the property, owned by John and Margaret Cline. Fowler said negotiations with the family began in September and went smoothly.

The purchase of the property was one factor that played into council's decision to raise taxes for the first time in 13 years.

Fowler said the 1.5-mill tax increase will help fund the property purchase, the associated improvements and the acquisition of a fire truck.

Millage will climb from 9.65 mills to 11.15 mills. A mill generates $270,000. Chief Administrator Don Pepe said the average homeowner will pay an additional $30 to $70 a year, depending upon the value of a home.

Fowler said some residents near the proposed park have expressed concerns about the potential for congestion, lights, crowds and vandalism.

"They are worrying about how their quality of life will be impacted," Pepe said.

The mayor said the property is in a rural portion of the municipality. Fowler said residents will be part of the planning process so their concerns can be considered.

"We are making a concerted effort that whatever their concerns, they are brought to the table and mitigated through the planning of the park," Pepe said.

He said potential uses for the property include horse trails, a nature reserve and an educational section.

"It has a lot of potential for what the community needs," Pepe said. "I'm not saying all things will be settled, but if we utilize this property and other parks in town we will meet the needs of the community."

Pepe cautioned that the newly purchased property cannot be developed in a vacuum. It has to be developed in conjunction with the other parks.

"We may end up altering what the other parks offer," Pepe said.