Village seeking more cemetery space
by Sue Serdinak
March 4 village council meeting
The West Richfield Cemetery is running out of burial space, according to Richfield Village Service Director Scott Waldemarson and Councilperson Jeff Stoppenhagen. “We’re running out of gravesites at a good clip,” said Stoppenhagen.
He recommended that council include money in the 2026 budget to expand the West Richfield Cemetery on Broadview Road.
“We need to do this sooner rather than later,’’ he said. “People want to be buried there.’’
Finance Director Sandy Turk said the cemetery fund has a balance of $324,000.
Waldemarson said that one acre of land east of the cemetery could provide space for 430 in-ground graves and 120 columbarium sites. Stoppenhagen said expansion could cost between $500,000 and $600,000.
In December, council approved expanding the cemetery to provide 30 additional gravesites.
Councilperson Rick Hudak pointed out there is additional village-owned property south of the cemetery where more gravesites could be created.
In addition, a columbarium has been ordered for Fairview Cemetery on Brecksville Road and delivery is expected this summer.
Council President Ralph Waszak said that selling burial lots brings in money to operate the cemeteries.
Stoppenhagen said the state handles the cost of indigent burials.
Emergency drop offs
Fire Chief George Seifert reported that primary area hospitals have seen long delays in accepting patients transported by rescue squads. He said wait times have recently been between two and three hours. During this time, patients are put in triage, the emergency responders cannot leave, and the squad is out of service while it waits.
Seifert said EMTs frequently know which emergency rooms have shorter wait times and recommend where patients likely will be treated most quickly. Seifert advised residents to follow the recommendations of the EMTs, when possible.
He said area fire chiefs are meeting with hospital officials to find a solution.
Seifert also reported that two Richfield fire trucks responded to the fire of Eddy’s Bike Shop in Peninsula. He said the 1893 building, owned by the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation, was fully engulfed when they arrived. They helped make sure the adjacent Winking Lizard restaurant, built in 1880, didn’t ignite.
Senior safety
The department is initiating a project called Project Safe Senior. The department will send surveys to seniors to determine if they need help with smoke alarms, fire escape planning and fire safety. Responses to the survey will be voluntary.
Highway problems
Village officials continue to meet with officials of ODOT regarding highway noise. According to Mayor Michael Wheeler, they discussed the possibility of erecting sound walls or mounding in areas where a highway is near homes.
“They seemed very receptive and open-minded,” reported Councilperson Marty Kruszynski.
TIF
Council had the first reading of an ordinance to offer a 30-year TIF (tax increment fund) for property on the east side of Brecksville Road, just north of I-271.
Under terms of the TIF, improvements on the property would be exempt from property taxes for 30 years. Instead, service payments would be made for construction and site development.
In October 2024, council approved a development agreement with N and L Holdings LLC to construct an 11,004-square-foot office building and warehouse that would be the headquarters of CJI Construction for a minimum of 10 years. N and L Holdings anticipated that CJI would bring about 35 full-time employees to the building with a payroll of $3 million. Its current headquarters is in Macedonia.
CJI Chief Financial Officer Chuck Wolf, a resident of Richfield, said the business has fluctuating levels of employment.
Service stations
Council approved extending the moratorium on accepting zoning permits for new automotive service stations. An existing moratorium expires on April 2.
Council also had first reading on an ordinance to prohibit the use of property for fuel stations and travel plazas. Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz reported that the zoning commission recommended the change.
Council will hold a public hearing regarding the zoning change on April 15.
Phones
IT Director Tim Baker reported that the village phone system has been replaced, and the new system is working well.
NOPEC
Council read legislation to allow natural gas consumers in Richfield Village to “opt-in” to a program with NOPEC (Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council).
NOPEC is an Ohio nonprofit energy aggregation group that negotiates bulk gas and electricity rates for its members.
Joyce Barton, a Richfield resident and former chief operating officer of NOPEC, said from the audience that this would be good for Richfield residents. “This will allow the residents who had opted out to opt back in to the program during the current enrollment period.”
Public art
Waszak said the Richfield Town Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization, has agreed to head up a committee to establish a public art initiative in the village. Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar said she wants to see art in the center of town. Waszak said some individuals might financially support art projects, and it is possible that a portion of the hotel tax could help fund the initiative.
Summer campPark Director John Piepsny reported that summer camp at Richfield Woods sold out shortly after registration opened. He said Richfield residents were given first priority.