City of Bellbrook Community Report December 2010 Volume XVI, Issue 3

A Publication of the City of Bellbrook

The Fire Escape: Holiday Fire Safety from “Your” Bellbrook Fire Department

We think of the holidays as happy times, a chanceto celebrate with familyand friends. The Bellbrook Fire Department would like to

exits to allow for escape in the event of fire. Check all lighting before placing it on your tree or home. Look for worn or frayed wires and broken bulbs. All lighting used should be UL approved and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how many sets should be connected to one power source. wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday

season. The Department offers the following suggestionsto keep your holidays safe:

When purchasing a live tree, look for the followingsigns of freshness. A fresh tree is green. Needleswill be hard to pull from the branches when bentbetween your fingers. Fresh needles don’t break oreasily fall from the tree when it is bounced on theground, only a small number of needles should falloff the tree.

To keep your tree fresh, cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better absorptionof water. Keep the tree outside your home in wateruntil you are ready to decorate and enjoy.

When placing the tree in your home, make sure it iskept away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces and heat vents. Also, keep the tree away from home

Keep them awayTake care when using candles. from other decorative materials and never leave them unattended. Candles have been an increasingcause of home fires in the past few years.

home areMake sure that all smoke detectors in the working properly. Batteries should be changed annually and detectors more than 10 to 15 years old should be replaced with a new photoelectric style detector.

ember, firesRem don’t take a holiday. By taking someprecautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safe holiday season. For more information on HolidayFire Safety, call your Bellbrook Fire Department (937)848-3272, visit our website at www.cityofbellbrook.orgor visit the Bellbrook Fire Department page on Facebook.

For many years, volunteers from the community havetaken part in honoring homeowners with properties thatare well-maintained and stand out from the rest. Tenhomes and several businesses are chosen each year toreceive the Beautification Awards. The City of Bellbrookis proud to announce the 2010 award winners below.Congratulations to our winners!

Area A 2166 Clearview Dr.—Jerry & Evelyn Wannemacher 2226 Tampico Tr.—Richard & Sharon Cost

Area B 2275 Portage Path—Bonnie & John Howe 3991 Beechwood Dr.—Dave & Sue Powell 4048 Eckworth Dr.—Tina & Richard Fox

Bellbrook Beautification Awards Area C 1416 Blue Stone Ct.—Kevin & Michelle McCamey 1767 Kensington Dr.—John Edgar

Area D 66 S East St.—Gary Berry & Brook Preston 1894 Shore Dr.—Darlene & Don Fricke

Area E 3816 Green Meadow Ranch Ct.—Scott & Kimberly Kochran4001 Sable Ridge Dr.—Everett & Lynn Odgers

Business Winner TJ's Gardens, 52 Bellbrook Plaza—Lynn Thompson

For more information, you can visit our website atwww.cityofbellbrook.org and go to the Bellbrook Information page.

July 2009

December 2010 City of Bellbrook Community Report

Community News

Bellbrook Lions Club

Bellbrook Sugarcreek Family Resource Center

The Lions Festival was well supportedby the community at Sugarcreek Elementary school. The school bandand other community groups marchedin the parade. Rob Lane of Springborowon the $10,000 raffle prize. The Club had a fantastic car show and many attendees enjoyed meeting communityvolunteers who help with various Lionsprojects throughout the year. While festival revenue was less than last year, Lions members were encouragedwith the large attendance. All of the

funds raised return to the community to fund sports programs for childrenand scholarships, help the parks,provide food baskets at Christmas and help send handicapped children tosummer camps.

This past October, the Lions Club wasbusy with a general cleanup of Sugarcreek Elementary school grounds and Eagleland, as well as hosting the Bloodmobile and cleaning up trash onInterstate 675. In early December,Club members will distribute 175

attending Camp Kern, support of various programs of the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District and grants to Stephen Bell 2nd grade teachers for science projects involving plant studies.

Winter brings interesting educational programs for Garden Club members. We invite you to check these out on our website www.bellbrookgardenclub.orgor contact Bellbrook Garden Club President, Lois Fink, at (937) 848-7914 for more information.

The Bellbrook Garden Club’s biggestfall project is always readying theproject gardens for winter. Theyinclude the Dunham Garden at Winter’sLibrary, the Celebration Gardens atBellbrook Museum, the planters andbump-outs of the Old Village and theinner courtyard at Stephen BellElementary School.

The Park District has a full schedule of events as usual! Join them for their“Holiday Nature Crafts” workshop, “Ginger Bread House” contest and “Parents Night Out.” Other programs include nature hikes and family pizza parties. For more information for these and other events, contact the Park District at (937)848-3535 or visit their website at www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org .

Bellbrook Garden Club

Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District

garden plants are featured as well as aunique hypertufa. Another highlightwas a request from Dayton History Inc.to include some of the Wright Irisesfrom the Museum in the landscaping of their new educational center. These flowers were transplanted in September and hopefully will provideblooms in the park for years to come.

Using proceeds from the spring plant sale, Community Special Projects for 2011 include “camperships” for Bellbrook Middle School students

2010 Club highlights include a new areaat the Museum gardens in memory of former Garden Club member, ToshikoSmith. Her very own special shade

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Chamber of Commerce The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Area Chamber of Commerce will again be publishing the Community Guide and Business Directory. The directory provides information about area government, businesses, organizations, schools, churches and parks. A freelisting will be provided to Chamber members, non-profit groups, government entities and those who purchase advertising. Tobe listed in the new directory, a business can become a Chamber member for $95. Please email updated information to info@bellbrooksugarcreekchamber.com by January 1, 2011. The directory will be available around the community and on theirwebsite on April 1, 2011. For more information, visit their website at www.bellbrooksugarcreekchamber.com or call theiroffice at (937) 848-4930.

holiday fruit baskets to widows and widowers. Planning occurs in winter when Club members review the needs of the community and allocate funding. They welcome letters andpresentations of community needs, so they can consider adding them to the list. They will continue the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program under the leadership of Lion Greg Sparks. Additional information about the Bellbrook Lions Club may be found atwww.bellbrooklions.org .

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Family Resource Center serves many low-income families in the area. They are currently in the process of looking for sponsors for needy children and families for Christmas. With a continuing sluggish economy, Centermanager Susan Lopez believes holiday requests will increase. Last year 100 families were assisted through Family ResourceCenter coordination. One local mother stated, “Out of a job, I love this program; it make(s) me feel good that there are nicepeople out there that help. When I get on my feet, I’m going to do it.” Another stated, “It would mean a lot to us to receivethe help we need.” Many of the families that come to the Center seeking holiday assistance are out of work, have reducedhours, or are in low paying positions. Many are in service-type industries and serve us on a daily basis, yet are struggling to keep food on their own tables at home. If you are interested in “adopting” a needy family or child, please contact Susan Lopezat (937) 848-3810 or email slopez@co.greene.oh.us .

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Family Resource Center would like to thank community members for the tremendous support theyhave shown to the Center this year.

December 2010City of Bellbrook Community Report

City News

at large in the public streets or roads.In addition, dogs are not permitted ona private lot without the consent of theowner. Please be courteous and keepyour dogs on a leash when taking them for a walk and don’t allow them onother people’s property without theirconsent.

Permits Are you already thinking about warm weather and those homeimprovement projects to begin in the spring? If so, below is a chart of some projects that require a property ownerto obtain a zoning permit from theBellbrook Zoning Office beforeconstruction begins. You may visit ourwebsite at www.cityofbellbrook.org to

by telephone, email or mail. We do want to hear from our residents about the good and the bad, so feel free to be involved.

Dear Residents ofBellbrook,

Another year haspassed, and as I have said before,we are so lucky tolive in a home townthat is stillfinancially solventand has so few real

community problems. I know that weare not perfect, but I do not believethere is any community that is perfect,nor any government body that will please all the people all the time. Yet,I do feel that those who govern or workfor the City of Bellbrook try to do whatis best for our community. I hope you feel the same way. We invite our citizens to attend our meetings, watchus on television or get in touch with us

Message from the Mayor

Your City Council and I want to wishyou all the happiest of Holiday Seasons. You are all special to us.

Sincerely,

Mary C. Graves, Mayor

Beekeeping In September, City Council amended the Municipal Code to allow for beekeeping within the City. TheOrdinance details regulations that must be met for beekeeping to be permitted on residential property.

Acquisition of Real Property In October, City Council authorized the purchase of real property located at 93 W. Maple St. The property is adjacent to the City’s existing water treatment facility. The house on the property is currently listed forsale but the City will retain the land it needs.

Transfer of Park Property In October, City Council authorized the transfer of two parks to the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District. Bellbrock Park and Petrikis Park have been maintained by the Park District for years. This action will allow the ParkDistrict to apply for grants for capital improvements to the parks.

City Council Updates

pal & Zoning Code Highlights Munici

In an effort to keep residents informed,certain provisions of the Municipal &Zoning Codes have been highlightedbelow.

Trash Containers The MunicipalCode requires that trash containers beremoved from the street no later thantwenty-four hours after trash pick-up. Also, trash containers should not beplaced for pick-up more than twenty-four hours before the scheduled pick-up time. Please be considerate of yourneighbors and have your trashcontainers at the street for the minimalamount of time.

Dogs at Large The City does notallow dogs, or any other animals, to run

download an Application for Zoning Permit. Submit the completed application and supporting documentation to the City of Bellbrook Zoning Office located at 15 E Franklin St, 2nd floor, Bellbrook. Your request will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. Theapplicable fee will be accepted once the permit is approved and ready for pick-up. Once you have received azoning permit, if needed, you may obtain a building permit from Greene County Building Regulation by calling(937) 562-7420. Please contact the Bellbrook Zoning Office at (937) 848-8477 with any questions regarding the permit process.

Project Zoning Permit Building Permit Fee Comments Fence Yes No $25

Shed Yes Yes $10 - $35 200 – 600 sf requires building permit

Addition Yes Yes Sliding Scale See fee schedule on website

Remodeling Yes Yes Sliding Scale See fee schedule on website

Deck Yes Yes Sliding Scale If attached, building permit required

Swimming Pool Yes Yes $25 In-ground & above ground pools

Temporary Tent Yes Yes $10

Com

mon

Pro

ject

s &

Per

mit

s *

Sign Yes Yes $10 - $25 Business districts only If internally lit, building permit required

* Please note this is not an exhaustive list of permits.

December 2010 City of Bellbrook Community Report

Volunteer Bellbrook is a new initiativeby the City of Bellbrook administrativestaff to help connect communityvolunteers with those in need.

Volunteer Bellbrook

All over our community, there arethose in need of assistance with property maintenance. On the otherhand, there are those who want to lenda hand to help their neighbors.

The City wants to facilitate theconversation of volunteerism. If youare elderly or disabled and are not ableto maintain your property with clearing snow and ice or tall grass and brush,then let us know of your need. We willdo what we can to make theconnections. If you are willing and ableto lend a hand to your neighbors,please contact us and we will let you

The Policeman’s Badge

know if there are any needs that are not being met.

For more information, please call the City Administration Office at (937) 848-4666 or visit our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org and find the Volunteer Bellbrook information on the homepage.

Thank you in advance for your involvement!

In the past few weeks, residents should have received a brochure in the mail providing details about the Recycling Program, which also includes the schedule for 2011. Please note that the schedule will be adjusted one week. Therefore, recycling will be picked up on consecutive weeks, December 24th and 31st. The two week schedule will then continue on January 14th, 2011. For more information, visitour website at www.cityofbellbrook.organd go to the Utilities page.

Recycling Brochure

Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for viewing in the Bellbrook ZoningOffice.

You may contact the Bellbrook Zoning Office at (937) 848-8477 with any questions regarding this issue. To find more floodplain information or view the flood maps, visit our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org and go to the Zoning page.

Christmas trees maybe disposed of for free with normaltrash collectionduring the month ofJanuary.

Please cut the tree in sections no longerthan four feet in length.

There will be a fee for trees picked upafter January 28th.

Christmas Tree Disposal

New Flood Insurance Rate Maps The Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) has notified theBellbrook Zoning Office that new FloodInsurance Study and Flood InsuranceRate Maps must be adopted by the Cityof Bellbrook and shall become effectiveon March 17, 2011. The new floodstudy and maps will be adopted as partof the Bellbrook Zoning Ordinance,Article #15, Flood Damage Preventionprior to the effective date. Adoptioninvolves legislative action, includingpublic hearings by the BellbrookPlanning Board and the Bellbrook CityCouncil.

Properties that are affected by thischange were notified by letter from theBellbrook Zoning Office in February 2009. The letter included informationregarding the flood insurance study and stated that some properties that werepreviously identified in a Special FloodHazard Area (SFHA) have been removed, while other properties thatwere not previously identified in aSFHA have been included. Final copies of the Flood Insurance Study and the

City non-emergency services will beclosed December 24th in observance of Christmas Eve, December 27th in observance of Christmas Day, December 31st in observance of New Years Day, January 17th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day and February 21st in observance of President’s Day.

Holidays

DARE The Bellbrook PoliceDepartment is active in the community and the classroom! Officer Brian Meade taught the Drug AbuseResistance Education (DARE) programto 5th Graders at Bellcreek Intermediate School from Augustthrough October.

For more information on the Police Department, visit our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org and go to our Police page.

Halloween Safety On October 27th

and 28th, Bellbrook Police Officers discussed Halloween Safety with Pre-K through 2nd Graders at Stephen Bell Elementary School.

City of Bellbrook Community Report December 2010

The following is a general description of the City of Bellbrook’s Snow and Ice Removal Program. As you are aware, each storm is different; nonetheless, we try to follow our snow removal policy as closely as possible. Our Snow and Ice Removal Program includes three steps:

Step 1- The Beginning of the Storm: When a snowstorm begins, the Service Department responds by salting the main roads, hills and through streets. Three salt trucks are used for this operation. A fourth truck is added during large events to help with the morning and evening rush hours. When storm

Snow Plowing Operations By Dale Wilson, Service Superintendent

Illicit Discharges Illicit discharges into the City’s storm sewer system can pose a serious healththreat to the natural habitat of our rivers and streams and affect our quality oflife. By identifying sources of illicit discharges, potentially harmful storm waterrunoff can be eliminated. Some examples of illicit discharges could originate fromconstruction sites, trash or litter left on or near roadways, residential overuse offertilizers and pesticides, heavy rainfall or deliberate dumping. If you observewhat you believe to be an illicit discharge, please call the Bellbrook ServiceDepartment at (937) 848-8415, Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM; after hours, contact the Bellbrook Police Department at (937) 848-8484 immediately.

Environmental News

Residents Can Help: Assist the Service Department during a snowstorm by heeding the following suggestions… 1. Remove all parked cars from City streets. 2. Reduce your speed and drive cautiously. 3. Remain off the road during snowstorms unless absolutely necessary. 4. Do not allow children to make snow forts at the edge of the road. 5. Do not plow, blow or throw snow back into the roadway. 6. Before final cleanup of your driveway, check the road. If it does not appear to be widened, a plow will return and may

push snow back into the entrance of your driveway. Being aware of this may keep you from clearing your drivewayentrance more than once.

7. During plowing operations, some lawns will accidentally be damaged. Remember, anything installed within the City’s right-of-way is placed there at the owner’s risk. Most City right-of-ways are ten to fifteen feet from the edge of the street.

8. Finally, please have patience. Snow plowing is a time consuming and arduous job, covering approximately 42 miles of road.Some residents will have their roads plowed first and some will be last, but all City streets will be cleared. The Service Department is devoted to providing the residents with dependable snow removal in the shortest time possible. Your cooperation will help us be more efficient.

Step 3- Following the Storm: Once the snowfall has stopped, all roads will be cleared of snow and the widening processcontinues. All roads are salted again to improve traction and melt the remaining snow and ice. This process continues until allCity streets are cleared of ice and snow. Salt begins to lose its effectiveness at 20 degrees. During extreme cold, although allstreets will be passable, it will not be possible to remove all snow from the streets.

conditions permit, the salt trucks will apply a very light dusting of salt on residential streets. This will create salt brineunderneath heavier snows. This is done to help eliminate compaction of the snow on the roadway and to make cleanup easier.

Step 2- During the Storm: Plowing operations begin when there is a plowable amount of snow on the ground. Four Service Department vehicles are equipped for plowing. There are two smaller multipurpose vehicles with plows used forbikeways. Each vehicle is assigned to pre-determined routes and will remain in this pattern throughout the duration of thestorm. The main objective “during” the snowstorm is to keep the main roadways passable. At the end of the storm, thesnowplows will begin to clear all roads. Once all roads are passable, we begin to widen the streets by pushing back the snowto the edge of the pavement. Residents may want to wait until the edges of the roads have been plowed before clearing the entrance of their driveways.

If you have any questionsconcerning the snow removalpolicy, please call (937) 848-8415. We will try to assist you in any way possible.Please have a safe winter!

Visit the Service Departmentpage on our website atwww.cityofbellbrook.org .

City of Bellbrook Community Report

PERMIT NO 41

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID DAYTON OH

CITY OF BELLBROOK COMMUNITY REPORT PO BOX 285 BELLBROOK OH 45305

City of Bellbrook Community Report

Articles of Interest City Council Bellbrook Beautification

Awards

Announcement of the 2010 Beautification Award winners

Community News

Information on community events happening this winter

City News

Information on what is happening at the City and services that we provide our residents

o Message from the Mayor

o City Council Updates

o The Fire Escape

o The Policeman’s Badge

Environmental News

The Bellbrook City Council would like to invite you to attend its regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. Meetings begin at 7 PM.

For more information about City Council, past meetings and current issues, call the Clerk of Council at (937) 848-4321 or visit the Council page onour website at www.cityofbellbrook.org

Council Members

Mary Graves, Mayor

Mike Schweller, Deputy Mayor

Bob Baird

Denny Bennett

Ralph Fussner

Jon Martin

Joe Ritzel

City of Bellbrook 15 E Franklin St

PO Box 285 Bellbrook OH 45305

Departments: Administration: ... 937.848.4666Clerk of Council:.. 937.848.4321Zoning: ............. 937.848.8477Police:.............. 937.848.8484Fire: ................ 937.848.3272Service: ............ 937.848.8415Utility Billing: ..... 937.848.4638

We’re on the Web! www.cityofbellbrook.org