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MUNSON TOWNSHIP

12210 Auburn Road
Chardon, OH 44024-9454
286-9255
FAX: 286-1180
E-mail: munson@munsontwp.com

Visit the township's Web site

   Munson had a total of 1,727 households and a population of 5,775 according to the Census of 1990. The median per-household income in 1989 was $52,571. The township covers 25.6 square miles.

   Munson was originally called McDonough after a hero of the Battle of Lake Champlain. Settlers began to arrive around 1817. The first settler was Samuel Hopkins who built a log cabin near Sand Hill. He had lived in Burton and Mesopotamia before settling in Munson. The first frame barn was built by Elijah Hovey.

   Munson was attractive to settlers because of the multitude of streams and Bass Lake, which could provide water for their crops and cattle. However, due to the water's presence, the trees grew large, and the undergrowth thick. It was hard to clear the land, and only the biggest, strongest men settled there.

   Although the first grist mill was built in 1818 by Christopher Langdon from Chardon, the longest-lasting mill was built by Hiram and Milo Fowler in 1833. Both of these families also built saw mills. Langdon built his in 1820 and Fowlers built theirs on the Chagrin River in 1829. Fowler's Mill is still standing, and is the oldest grist mill in Geauga County.

   The first school was taught by David Harven around 1820. In 1909, the first "bus service" came into being via a wagon driven by A.E. Case called a "Kid Hack". The kids liked to jump out and run ahead of the wagon or skip cross-lots to beat the driver to school.

View township map


Township Clerk:
Patricia A. Bayer 286-9312
(Term expires: 3-31-2008)

Trustees:
Frank J. Gliha, 286-6922
(Term expires: 12-31-07)

Bruce Ward
(Term expires 2005)

Todd Ray, Chairman,
(Term expires: 12-31-05)

Trustees meet at the Town Hall the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday, and 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday.

Zoning Inspector:
Donald Zambory, 286-9182

The Zoning Inspector's hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Town Hall.

Zoning Commission

Ron Atkinson, Chairman, 285-7747
James Mekeel, Vice Chairman, 286-3179
Betty Koelliker, 286-8741
John Spisak, 729-7952
George Collns

Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary:
Patricia A. Bayer, 286-9255

The Zoning Commission meets the first Tuesday of the month at 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Zoning Board of Appeals

Lowell Hanson, Chairman, 286-3452
George Edgar, Vice Chairman
Roger Kramer, 564-9542
Vincetta Crombie, 286-9418
Dennis Pilawa

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets the third Thursday of the month when required

Fire Chief:
Bernie Harchar, 286-6797

Fire Prevention Officer:
Douglas Riedel, 286-6797

Cemetery Sexton
Arthur Grossman, 286-9255

Geauga County Historical Society Board of Trustees - Munson Twp. Member
Sandra Calvert Mueller

Park and Recreation Board

Andy Bushman
Mike Haines
Jeff Meola
Jon Schroeter
Bruce Ward
Chuck Weidig
Don Zambory

These individuals can be contacted through the township office.

Long-Range Land Use Advisory Planning Committee (LRLUAPC)

Irene McMullen, Chairman
James Mekeel, Vice Chairman
Diane Moore
Ron Atkinson
Robert Davis

These individuals can be contacted through the township office.


Township Garage

11000 Sherman Road
286-4766
Road Superintendent:
Arthur Grossman

Assistant Road Superintendent
Tim Mazny

Township Cemeteries

Fowlers Mill Cemetery
12399 Fowlers Mill Rd.

Maple Hill Cemetery
13480 Auburn Rd.
Corner Auburn and Butternut Rds.

Munson Township Park
(under construction)

12641 Bass Lake Rd.

The total of monies received for construction of this park as of July 9, 1997 is $1,440. Money will be used for purchasing a pavilion, and to seed and clay the ballfields.

 Announcements


Garage Sale Signs

Residents are reminded that any signs, such as garage sale signs, for sale signs, or any other type of signs are not to be posted in the right-of-way. Signs also are not allowed to be posted on utility poles, nor on the island at the intersection of Wilson Mills and Auburn Roads.


History Records Needed

The township is compiling a list of past trustees and township officials as a part of a plan to place a historical display at the township hall. Written records for the township are missing from the periods from the early 1800s to 1916 and from 1925 to 1949. If anyone has old township records from these periods, or other township papers, please contact the township office.


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