Council reviews annexation request for new Meadows School; stormwater compliance cited

Council reviewed a proposed annexation ordinance (2025‑O‑32) that would bring the New Meadows School property and short portions of Woodville Drive and Warehouse Road into Huntington city limits so the city can provide mandatory police and fire protection.

City Attorney Scott Dammer said the board of education requested annexation because it wants the city to provide fire and police service. Dammer said the statutory procedure for annexation was followed — a majority of freeholders and qualified voters approved the petition — and that the annexation excludes adjacent property owners except for the roadway portions needed for connectivity.

On questions from council about why the school was not annexed before construction, Dammer said the school district came to the city about four months ago and that annexation is tied to compliance with the MS4 municipal separate storm sewer system requirements. He said the annexation will not be finalized until a contract is signed and recorded and that deed language and maintenance agreements will be recorded to ensure long‑term stormwater maintenance responsibilities.

Why it matters: Annexation will change the municipal service provider for the school site (police and fire) and brings the property under city ordinances and oversight once the required agreements are executed and recorded.