By Dana Kazel
The County Board approved a petition to allow a portion of Greenwood Township to become part of neighboring Goodwill Township. The involved area includes 435 parcels on the northwestern side of Greenwood Township, of which about 10% are primary residences.
Much of the conversation focused on property tax impacts as well as emergency response services.
In voting in favor of the petition, Commissioner Paul McDonald noted that the decision was about more than those issues.
"This is about sense of community," said McDonald, whose district includes both townships. "When people don't have that sense of community, they lose something. Goodwill Township and Cook align with that end of Lake Vermilion."
Commissioners approved the petition during Tuesday's meeting, which was held in Gilbert. The vote came following a public hearing, which originally was held in September, but then continued when it was learned that not all affected property owners had received communication.
Details on when this change goes into effect will be communicated to the respective townships at a later date.