The City of Westerville and Harlem Township have announced their intent to merge in order to help maintain residents’ high quality of life at a time of significant change and growth in the area. A merger is proposed to help preserve both communities’ proud histories and give residents more power to control future development in a way that best serves their interests, not just developers or other city governments.
“Harlem Township is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, but that is at risk in today’s environment due to growing development pressure. Through the work done by the Harlem Township Strategic Planning Committee over the last two years, it has become clear that a strong strategic partner is required in order to preserve the quality of life our residents expect,” said Carl Richison, Harlem Township Trustee. “The threat of annexation and access to future utility capacities continue to be challenges. The risk is that land for farms and families becomes a warehouse. Ohio law doesn’t give townships the power to prevent it. Only cities can do that, which is why the committee has recommended that the Harlem Township Trustees move forward with an intent to merge with Westerville. Westerville has always been a good partner so when we went looking for a strategic partner they quickly rose to the top.”
“Westerville is the best place to live and work in Central Ohio because of our sense of community and careful planning. Partnering with Harlem Township would give us both the tools we need to better manage the development around us and the power to take control of our future instead of having it taken from us. There are still factors to consider but the upside for both communities looks significant,” said Monica Dupee, Westerville City Manager.
Ohio law provides multiple ways for local governments to merge, even if their borders do not touch, as long as their councils and voters approve. The unprecedented growth that Central Ohio has seen in recent years–and which will only continue–means communities must be increasingly thoughtful about planning for future traffic, water and sewer, police and fire, recreation and other needs if they want to preserve their residents’ high quality of life.
Both Harlem and Westerville have a long history of thoughtful community planning that has produced two of the most desirable places to live and work in the region. Preserving that quality of life for current and future generations is the goal of both communities’ leaders.
“Westerville and Harlem have a lot of the same concerns and interests. It makes sense that we see how we can work together to protect our residents’ quality of life. Our initial conversations have been informative and useful for everyone, and we look forward to seeing where they lead,” said Richison.
“Westerville knows we must take an active role in helping manage the growth we are seeing all around us or we risk being rolled over by it,” said Dupee.“Our community has a long history of getting ahead of challenges and Harlem Township shares many of the same concerns we have about unrestrained growth. Our conversations with township leaders show great promise for how we can leverage growth for Westerville and protect our quality of life, and it’s time to take our conversation to the next level.”
The merger will not impact either communities’ schools, since those are controlled by separate, independent school boards with their own borders, revenue and elected leaders. Other issues such as police and fire, parks and other city services will be thoroughly discussed and explored between the Westerville and Harlem Township leaders to see if a merger would be a benefit to residents. A formal merger agreement would have to be approved by each community by August in order to be submitted to voters for the November general election.
