Area E 2037 Sheffield Drive – Michael & Stephanie Iacovone 3931 Jacob Hills Court – Chuck & Lauren Stevens 3774 East Sudbury Court – Peter & Brenda Camerino

Business Winner Family Hair Care – Laurie Barnett

City of Bellbrook Community Report December 2012 Vo lume XVII I , I ssu e 3

A Pub licat ion of the C ity o f Be l lbrook

City Receives Water Fluoridation Quality Award

Bellbrook Beautification Awards 2012

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention awards community water systems that have maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water. The Ohio Department of Health has notified the City of Bellbrook Water Department about this award for 2011.

The criteria for qualifying for this award are as follows:

♦ Average monthly fluoride levels were maintained between 0.8 and 1.3 mg/L or ppm. ♦ A sufficient number of water samples were found within range. In Ohio, that means no more

than three times per month can the level be below or above the required range from above. ♦ A sufficient number of samples were taken. In Ohio, that means daily testing at the water

plant tap.

The City of Bellbrook has joined other Greene County communities in offering Hyper-Reach as an emergency notification service to residents. This system allows public safety officials to notify targeted geographical areas with important alerts.

All landlines are registered to receive community alerts such as water boil advisories and missing child reports.

New Emergency Notification System Up and Running

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the CDC as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. 92 percent of Ohioans served by public water systems are enjoying the benefits of fluoridated water. The CDC and the Ohio Department of Health recommend water fluoridation as an effective and safe method of preventing tooth decay in people of all ages. In addition, fluoridating a community’s water supplies is one of the most cost-effective public health measures. Every $1 invested in fluoridation saves approximately $38 in costs for dental treatment.

Residents also have the option to register cell phones and email addresses to receive severe weather alerts in addition to community alerts. To register your cell phone or email address, please visit the Emergency Notifications page on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org .

For many years, volunteers from the community have taken part in honoring homeowners with properties that are well-maintained and stand out from the rest. 10 homes and several businesses are chosen each year to receive the Beautification Awards. The City of Bellbrook is proud to announce the 2012 award winners below. Congratulations to our winners!

Area A 4407 Hillcrest Dr – Marianne Meineke

Area B 2237 Shadowood Circle – Dan & Tina Miracle 2291 Portage Path – Steve & Betty Ogrod

Area C 1662 Cedar Court – Aaron & Nichole Holland 1761 Kensington Drive – John & Arlene Flohre

Area D 1899 Shore Drive – Joe & Berdie Maranto 240 Washington Mill Drive – Marianne Cordial

Community News

Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District The Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District is pleased to announce they were recently recognized by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association for their 2012 Photo Contest Calendar project. They were awarded third place in the Marketing Print category. This project was created in 2011 and was designed to encourage residents to get outdoors and visit the parks that make up the Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Township area. The Park District provided a recreational opportunity for participants to use a camera and showcase what they value in the community. Last fall, participants entered photos with the goal of being in the top 12 that were featured throughout the year in a complimentary

Museum. The goal is to be able to open the Museum more days in 2013 with knowledgeable personnel familiar with the history of Bellbrook and our large collection of artifacts from the area. It's not too late to participate in this rewarding program; call Dwight Bartlett at (937) 475-6659 for details.

community calendar. 82 photos were submitted with approximately 2,000 votes by the Park District’s Facebook fans and in-person at the Community Center in 2011. The Park District recently completed this year’s Photo Calendar Contest. 55 photo entries participated in the contest with over 2,000 votes again on Facebook and in-person. The 2013 calendars are available now while supplies last.

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District has a full schedule of winter programs in 2013! Join them for various fitness classes, knitting, Rags-to-Riches Craft classes, Wonderful Winter Birds, Stargazing, Wise About EYES, and Food, Fitness, & Fun.

It continues to be a very busy fall for the Museum. The Museum welcomed Ms. Janis Stratis as their newest Museum Board member, and they look forward to her contributions toward the progress of activities at the Museum in the coming months. The Rotating Exhibit Room is highlighting Depression Glassware for its

December 2012 City of Bellbrook Community Report

Bellbrook Historical Museum

Winters Bellbrook Community Library

Volunteer Bellbrook

fall exhibit. This presentation will continue into the holidays for those of you who may not have had time to visit, but don't wait too long as they will have another exciting exhibit coming soon! The other main activity is the ongoing Docent Training program that is busy preparing interested individuals in the various workings of the

Over the past two years, the City has been able to call on the services of Volunteer Bellbrook. In 2010, the program was started to provide help to those in need by connecting community volunteers with the elderly and disabled who need assistance.

All over the community, there are those in need of assistance with property maintenance. On the other hand, there are those who want to lend a hand to help neighbors. The City has compiled a list of volunteers that range from church groups and civic organizations to individuals. If you are elderly or disabled and are in need of assistance with basic property maintenance, please call Don Buczek in the Administration office at (937) 848-4666.

The City would like to thank Bellbrook United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Kettering and the Bellbrook Lions Club for their contributions in 2012.

Winter is a wonderful time to utilize all the resources your community library has to offer. They have good books for cozy times at home and audio books for when you are on the go, holiday movies and music to “keep the spirit bright”, consumer information for gift buying, how-to books for crafting and programs for fun. Upcoming events include holiday story times and crafts, a new book group for kids on The Hobbit, an American Girl Doll party, Duct Tape Crafts, and more! Please check their website for more information at www.greenelibrary.info .

Other events include family movie nights, nature programs, tween, youth and preschool programs, as well as their new Natural Art Fest on March 9th, which will showcase professional artwork inspired by nature. For more park program information, please contact (937)-848-3535 or visit their website at www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org .

City News

City of Bellbrook Community Report December 2012

City Council Updates Abandoned Properties Registration In August, Council passed this ordinance to require vacant properties to be registered with the City. This registration will help the City address any property maintenance issues that may be present on the property.

Property Maintenance Code Council approved a comprehensive update to the City’s property maintenance code in September. This update provides the City with more tools to address and correct property maintenance issues in the community.

Personnel Manual The City recently reviewed its current policies and adopted an updated Personnel Manual covering City employees. This comprehensive document details a variety of human resource policies and a copy is available on our website.

and will notify property owners if any deficiencies exist.

Vehicles and Trailers in the Grass Vehicles, trailers or other recreational vehicles are not allowed to be parked in the grass. All vehicles should be parked on a hard surface in the front or side yards. Trailers and recreational vehicles are allowed to be parked in the rear and side yards as long as they are parked on a hard surface or compacted gravel. For more information on this issue, please contact the Zoning office at (937) 848-8477.

More Information For more information or to reference the Municipal Code, visit the City’s website at www.cityofbellbrook.org

Outdoor Storage Please keep your neighbors in mind if you have items that are not being used or are otherwise able to be discarded. One major component of the Property Maintenance Code addresses outdoor storage. To store items uncommon to properties in Bellbrook, there needs to be screening such as a fence or dense evergreen shrubs. Common yard items include patio furniture and play equipment. For more information, please call the Administration office at (937) 848-4666.

Firewood The storage of firewood is permitted as long as it is stacked in a reasonably compact and orderly fashion

Municipal and Zoning Code Highlights Garbage Containers All garbage containers or trash cans must have a lid if they are placed outside of your house. Also, garbage can be placed out for pick up the day before collection and the containers must be removed by the following day.

Sidewalks Section 660.05 of the Municipal Code explains that property owners are responsible to maintain sidewalks on their property. This maintenance not only includes the repair, but also the removal of snow and ice. If the snow and ice cannot be completely removed, salt or sand should be applied to help with the safe passage of pedestrians. The Service Department periodically performs sidewalk inspections

The City would like to thank residents for their support of the General Fund Levy renewal that was on the November 6th ballot.

General Fund Renewal Levy Passage

This levy was originally approved in 1962 and has been either renewed or replaced every five years since. In addition to certain basic City services, the General Fund provides funding for capital projects throughout the City. Capital projects include the annual street resurfacing program, stormwater drainage projects to aid in flood prevention, as well as vehicles and equipment for the Police, Fire and Service Departments.

During and after a winter snow storm, snow piles accumulate at the end of driveways and along the streets. These snow piles are seen as potential forts and igloos by many children.

The Service Department wants to warn families to not let children play in these snow piles. A passing snow plow may push snow on top of the pile causing the pile to collapse.

When driving in the snow, please remember to be cautious and maintain a safe distance between you and a snow plow. Have a safe winter!

The Works: Snow Plow Safety

In other action, City Council approved a new Electric Generation Supply Agreement with DPL Energy Resources, authorized the purchase of a new Cardiac Monitor and re-platted a lot in the Highview Terrace subdivision.

The complete Municipal Code and all recently passed ordinances and resolutions can be found on the City’s website at www.cityofbellbrook.org under the City Council tab.

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

December 2012 City of Bellbrook Community Report

Winter Driving The Bellbrook Police Department would like to offer these basic tips when preparing for winter driving. ♦ Slow Down – roadway conditions can change rapidly due to the weather, so please be prepared for the unexpected. ♦ Buckle Up – seatbelts, along with airbags, provide excellent advantages for occupants of any vehicle involved in a crash. ♦ Don’t Drink and Drive – This is a very preventable crime. Use a designated driver, call for a ride, or stay where you are – please don’t

become a statistic. ♦ Space – One of the most common causes of accidents is called ACDA (assured clear distance ahead). It refers to leaving appropriate

amounts of space between the car in front of you and your vehicle. ♦ Be Alert – We find more crashes being caused by driver’s inattention: eating, talking to passengers, moving objects in the car, or talking

on the telephone. None of these behaviors are worth being involved in a crash.

We think of the holidays as happy times, a chance to celebrate with family and friends. However, the most joyous of times, such as the Christmas season, can be dangerous and costly. Did you know that Christmas trees are involved in approximately 400 fires annually? Typically, these fires result in more than one dozen deaths, dozens of injuries and more than $10 million in property loss and damage. Short-circuiting tree lights are cited as the leading cause.

The Bellbrook Fire Department would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. The Department offers the following suggestions to keep your holidays safe:

When purchasing a live tree, look for the following signs of freshness. A fresh tree is green. Needles will be hard to pull from the branches when bent between your fingers. Fresh needles don’t break or easily fall from

the tree when it is bounced on the ground, only a small number of needles should fall off the tree.

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

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

Take care when using candles. Keep them away from other decorative materials and never leave them unattended. Candles have been the second most common cause of home fires in the past few years.

Make sure that all smoke detectors in the home are working properly. Batteries should be changed annually and detectors more than 10 years old should be replaced with a new “dual” or “photoelectric” style detector.

Remember, fires don’t take a holiday! By taking some precautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safe holiday season. For more information on Holiday Fire Safety, call your Bellbrook Fire Department (937) 848-3272, visit our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org or “Like” the Bellbrook Fire Department page on Facebook.

Waste & Recycling Holiday Schedule Please note that trash collection will be delayed one day due to the Christmas Day holiday. Trash collection will take place on Saturday, December 29th, 2012.

Also, trash collection will be delayed one day due to the New Year’s Day holiday. Trash collection will take place on Saturday, January 5th, 2013.

For more information, visit the Utilities page on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org.

The Policeman’s Badge

New Waste Collection Company Beginning in January On November 26th, City Council approved an agreement with Rumpke to provide residents with waste and recycling services beginning in January 2013. The City recently participated in a joint competitive bid process for these services. Rumpke submitted the lowest and best bid for the services.

While most of the services offered will remain unchanged, residents will once again have weekly recycling collection. Every household will also receive a new 64 gallon recycling cart from Rumpke.

In mid-December, residents will receive information in the mail from Rumpke about the transition. The City will also post the information on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org. Please put out your existing recycling cart for Allied Waste to pick-up on Saturday, December 29th.

Christmas Tree Disposal E-Newsletter City Holidays

City of Bellbrook Community Report

City of Bellbrook Community Report December 2012

The Policeman’s Badge Continued

Stormwater: Water Quality

Environmental News

Water Quality Water is an important part of our daily lives, but we don’t often consider how our daily activities affect our local lakes, rivers and streams. You can protect our water quality by implementing simple backyard conservation and nutrient management techniques that can save you time and money in addition to positively impacting our natural resources.

Use the following RIGHTS on your lawn and garden as you prepare for winter and spring:

The right SOURCE: appropriate for soil properties The right RATE: assess soil nutrient supply and plant demand The right TIME: assess timing of grass/plant intake and weather factors The right PLACE: limit potential of off-lot transport

Streams Many neighborhoods in Bellbrook have streams that meander through them, attracting migrating birds, deer and other native wildlife. If you are one of those lucky owners that enjoy a back yard stream, here are a few tips to preserve and improve your stream’s health.

♦ Don’t mow to the edge of the stream. Leave a 10’ buffer where the grass is a bit taller than the rest of your lawn. This helps to stabilize your stream bank and reduce erosion from fast moving rain water.

♦ Don’t dump anything in your stream, even organic matter. Yard waste is the second largest type of all discarded trash. When grass, leaves or even pet wastes are placed in a stream and decomposes, it eliminates oxygen in the water and produces a foul odor. Without oxygen, the fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures cannot survive.

♦ Do remove any trash from your back yard stream and teach others to do the same. Clean water is a clear choice. ♦ Don’t change the path of your stream. Adding or removing natural boulders or vegetation changes the nature of a stream and can

cause flooding or accelerated erosion downstream on your neighbor’s property. Let nature take its course. ♦ Do practice being a good steward. Caring for your back yard stream can increase your property value and provide a haven for many

types of wildlife in the community, improving the quality of life for yourself and for generations to come.

Christmas trees may be disposed of for free with normal waste collection during the month of January.

Please cut the tree in sections no longer than four feet in length.

If you wish to opt out of receiving the newsletter through the mail, you may receive it via email. If you wish to sign up for the email list, please email Don Buczek at don.buczek@cityofbellbrook.org and identify your residential address and include the email address where you wish to receive the newsletter.

As always, the city publishes the newsletter in PDF format on the website at www.cityofbellbrook.org.

City non-emergency services will be closed for the following holidays:

♦ December 24th – Christmas Eve ♦ December 25th – Christmas Day ♦ January 1st – New Year’s Day ♦ January 21st – Martin Luther King Jr.

Day ♦ February 18th – President’s Day ♦ March 29th – Good Friday

Auto Theft Auto theft and auto accessory theft is on the rise in Greene County and Bellbrook is no exception. Here are some tips on how to keep your car safe at home and away. ♦ Lock your car even while parked in your own driveway or in the street in front of your home. ♦ Install a motion activated floodlight that illuminates your parking area. ♦ Never leave an unlocked car with the engine running, especially with a child or pet in the car. ♦ Place all valuables and packages in the trunk before you reach your parking spot; if you still have packages inside the car, cover them

with a cloth or place them in the trunk. ♦ Avoid leaving spare keys in your car or in magnetic holders outside your car. ♦ If you must park in a lot, choose an attended, well lit lot if possible. ♦ Park near an entry door of a restaurant, not in the back of the lot. If possible, choose a window table overlooking your parking spot. ♦ On the street, avoid corner spaces and choose well lit, active areas, and turn the wheels to the curb and set the parking brake.

Remember to always practice safety first – you can prevent crime!

City of Bellbrook Community Report

City of Bellbrook 15 East Franklin Street Bellbrook, OH 45305

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID DAYTON OH

PERMIT NO 41

City of Bellbrook Community Report

City of Bellbrook 15 East Franklin Street Bellbrook, Ohio 45305

Departments Administration .............. (937) 848-4666 Clerk of Council ............. (937) 848-4666 Zoning ........................... (937) 848-8477 Police ............................. (937) 848-8484 Fire ................................ (937) 848-3272 Service ........................... (937) 848-8415 Utility Billing .................. (937) 848-4638

We’re on the Web!

www.cityofbellbrook.org

Articles of Interest ♦ Water Fluoridation Quality Award

The City’s Service Department was awarded the Water Fluoridation Quality Award in September

♦ Community News

Information on community organizations and events happening this winter

♦ City News

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

o City Council Updates

o The Fire Escape

o The Policeman’s Badge

o The Works

♦ Environmental News

City Council 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 7:00 PM.

For more information about City Council, past meetings and current issues, call the Clerk of Council at (937) 848-4666 or visit the Council page on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org

Council Members

Bob Baird, Mayor

Mike Schweller, Deputy Mayor

Denny Bennett

Jon Martin

Elaine Middlestetter

Joe Ritzel

Dona Seger-Lawson