Petition to annex Reservoir Rd area homes to town of Brookville to save Brook Hill Golf Club

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION SO TOWN BOARD CAN VERIFY PROPERTY OWNERSHIP.

On October 16th, 2018 at a special meeting of the Franklin Co. commissioners, the Franklin County Counsel, and the Brookville Town Board it was resolved that the Brookville Town Board would consider annexation of the properties in the Reservoir Rd area and potentially those in the Rhein Hill / Rhein Rd area into the town of Brookville. This annexation would allow the town of Brookville to purchase Brook Hill Golf club and retain it as a municipal golf course. If you own property on the following roads you are encouraged to sign this petition:

• Reservoir Rd.
• Hogan Rd.
• Fairway Ln.
• Keeler Rd.
• Spaeth Rd.
• Brookhaven Rd.
• Rebecca Dr.
• Clover Dr.
• Brookhill Dr.
• Brookview Ct.
• Rhein Rd.***
• Roemer Rd.***

***potential considered areas may or may not be included pending support and decision from Brookville Town Board.

Please also consider the attached letter from concerned citizen Tim Brack.

Do you want to live in a community that is moving forward or going backwards? Nothing ever stays the same. You're going in one direction or the other. Otherwise, we would still have Popper's, Danner's and the Greyhounds.
Recently, there have been meetings and discussions about the viability of Brookhill Golf Course as private or public entity or not at all. Many of you, as well as myself, have attended those meetings. We have heard the pros and cons of what a golf course means for our town and our county. The conclusions of those meetings has been either it exists as public entity or most likely not at all. In the latter, it will be auctioned off soon as development property and/or agricultural acreage.
There has been interest from both the town and county in keeping and maintaining the property as a municipal golf course and possibly more for the betterment of our community. In this case, the most viable solution seems to be the town buying the property. With this comes annexation to the town of Brookville for most of the residents on Reservoir hill. This could happen in the next few years anyway regardless of the status of the golf course. With annexation comes access to increased services and improvements over time. Better roads, sewer, fire hydrants, police presence, & trash pick up to name a few. Obviously, this doesn't come without costs- mostly in increased property tax and sewer hookup/ monthly usage. The town, in return, receives much needed revenue to keep Brookville progressing. There would savings in lower homeowners insurance with closer vicinity to hydrants. Instead of a decrease in property value with the absence of the golf course, there would likely be an increase in value with the added improvements. Some will say we don't need these things - We don't want the added cost - I like it the way it is. Remember nothing stays the same. Are we going forward or backward? Again, these things may come to Reservoir hill whether there's a golf course or added development property.
Why keep the golf course? I believe this golf course is so much more than just place to play golf. Most importantly, it serves as a source of fundraising and gives us a sense of community. Our athletic teams, youth leagues & memorial scholarships for loved ones are funded in large part by golf tournaments. The Renaker family has always been extremely generous to our school teams and our young golfers giving them access to the course and range balls. The game teaches our kids patience, integrity, perseverance and sportsmanship to a degree unlike any other sport. We have had very successful boys and girls golf teams in recent years with many continuing on to play collegiate golf. An expanded youth program, getting kids outside and away from their video devices, is vitally important. This property could also serve as an athletic and social club. Reservoir Road isn't a safe place to walk, run or ride a bike. Trails could be added for these activities. Membership could include access to our new Aquatic Center. Improvements in the clubhouse, deck area and shelter could make it a great place for community functions and events. There is no question that there has to be changes to the way Brookhill golf course exists today.
Personally, I have been a member of the golf course for over 25 years. Many of my best friends today are because of a relationship that started at Brookhill golf course. One of my favorite things in life is to walk a few holes with my daughters in the evening. A lot of people in our community have great memories and have found common bonds through golf. We want reasons for people to come to our town and our county. There is an awesome revitalization going on in our town with businesses, restaurants and residences. A golf course/ athletic club/social club could be a big part of moving forward for our community.
In order to move forward with annexation, there will be a petition to many of the residents on Reservoir hill to show support for annexation. Town Council will be working to provide each resident information regarding their property tax exposure and any other cost involved with said annexation. There will be a group contacting residents soon to provide information. Eventually, this group will be asking residents to sign a petition supporting annexation. Naturally, there will be some for and some against. As we think about this, the question we should be asking is "In which direction do we want to head?"

Thank you, Tim Brack