Howland says 100 percent of homeowners and businesses have expressed they don't want to be annexed into Niles.

The people have said it has to do with identity, police, fire, and road services, property values, and more.

The city has posted a warning on the township's website about any development incentive agreements they may receive in the mail, or be asked to sign.

After Niles passed legislation to potentially annex residential and business properties in Howland and Weathersfield townships, the two joined forces and have retained legal counsel.

The city has posted a warning on the township's website about any development incentive agreements that water, sewer, and utility customers may receive.

Howland Administrator Darlene Saint George said, "We do not want people to worry and think that they must sign the document. That document runs with your property, so we are saying don't sign anything and allow our legal team to take this on. It could be a legal binding contract that your signing and the township has hired legal counsel to represent Howland and township residents against action by the city of Niles. Call us and let us know, and we will take care of it. We consider this an egregious act."

Trustee Rick Clark said, "Every January people who chose to annex or were annexed would need to send an income statement to the city of Niles and pay the corresponding income tax as if you were a resident of the city of Niles. People that are here now want to be here. We've got good schools, public services, the road department, police, and fire departments are superior. It's just a great community to work in. Folks that are contiguous to Niles could annex now to either Niles or Warren if they wanted. The property owner usually drives annexation if they want to annex, but obviously, people who are contiguous don't have a desire to do that. We have close to 19,000 residents here, and if they annex all customers who receive water, sewer, and utility services, that will mean a reduction in revenue of around 25 percent. There would likely be layoffs and cuts in services. Some Niles officials have said it's not their intention to annex current established customers; it is only for new development. However, that is not what the agreement states. We are advising folks not to sign it at this point upon advice of legal counsel. Our hopes are to work together. It doesn't do anyone any good fighting over issues. Sharing borders, it makes sense that we try to get along with each other, but we have taken this stance since we were forced to."

Both emphasize this has angered folks.  Howland and Weathersfield townships see this as an assault, a money grab by Niles.

Niles emphasizes it has not sent any letters out.

Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz would not talk with us on camera but spoke with us at his office. He countered Niles residents would save money by paying far less property taxes, yet school districts drawn up by the state would stay the same, and added businesses could save on utility rates by becoming part of Niles.

Mientkiewicz said, "Ohio laws give Niles the right to annex residential and business properties contiguous to the city that need new water, sewer, and electrical services. The law also gives us the right to annex property of existing customers we serve with utility services, water, sewer, and electrical."

21 News asked if this could mean cutting off water, sewer, and electricity to current customers. Niles Mayor told us it would have to be for the betterment of Niles, and that possibility is on the table for discussion. Mientkiewicz added, "The mayor and city council members must do what is best to sustain services for Niles and to grow the city."