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Springfield Township Newsletter 

October 2009
Volume 1, Issue 6

Dear ,

While budget adjustments are not easy, Springfield Township is committed to containing costs while still ensuring the mission of  delivering services (police, fire/EMS, roads, zoning, senior, parks and recreation) in an effective manner to create a sense of community, enhance property values and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses in the Township.

We feel that the key to our future is in our residents. This is why we have invested so much time and resources into the neighborhood master plan meetings. We care about your input and it will shape the future of our community of neighborhoods. We have also reconvened the resident-based budget and finance committee to look at ways we can continue to grow as a community, yet continue to be prudent about how tax dollars are used.

Beyond resident-based initiatives, each department has been aggressively working to contain costs and each department continues to make several adjustments to operational activities with the intent of reducing expenses. Everything from utilities to manpower is being analyzed as the resources of grants and services provided through the state and Hamilton County become more and more sparse. We have set new contracts to centralize purchasing in departments using the same services; we are implementing multi-jurisdictional purchasing contracts for big ticket items; we are repurposing surplussed desks, vehicles and equipment to use in other departments; and we are continually researching legal and compliance issues  that could allow for any decrease in expenditures. In addition, we are working with state legislators to change state law to potentially free up some of the restrictions that Townships have on special revenue funds. On behalf of Township residents, we have negotiated a natural gas and electric aggregation program that is on track to save an average of $300 per resident in 2009.

As you are at home, we are looking for the best ways to adjust to our changing economy. We sincerely appreciate the support we are getting from you at the neighborhood meetings. Together we can make a difference and build a bright future.


Sincerely,

   Joseph Honerlaw       Tom Bryan     Gwen McFarlin
   Trustee                     Trustee          Trustee
Features
Saving Money
Neighborhood Master Planning
Fire Department Open House
Blood Drive
Halloween Window Painting Contest
Snow Plow Rodeo
New Playground Equipment
Voting Locations
Saving Money - Every Little Bit Counts!
In tough times, every penny counts. Little measures such as buying in group for discounts, applying for grants and recycling ink cartridges are all ways that the Springfield Township staff continues to save precious dollars.

Did you Know?
� The Finance Director repairs all of the flags flown in the parks and government buildings on her own time at home - saving the community hundreds of dollars in replacements every year.

� The service garage, the fire stations and police station use eco-friendly bulbs, saving $1,200 per month in utility bills.

� The Police Department recently re-hired retired officer Ken Klayer at part-time pay as a way to continue offering the DARE program in our schools. This was formerly a full-time position, saving $35,000 per year, including benefits. In addition, Officer Klayer's new salary will mostly be paid for by a DARE grant.

� The e-news that you are reading now replaced the printed Township newsletter, saving $40,000 per year.

� New proceedures put in place now allow for other means of legal notification. Now, certain violations do not require certified mail notification and the Township can advertise legal notices in a more cost effective way, saving an estimated $5,000 in 2009.

� The Township has directed the Senior/Community Center Director to redevelop the rental structure of The Grove Banquet Hall, allowing for multiple approved caterers to offer service to those renting the facility.  The new rental structure is aimed at increasing the number of rentals per year and could potentially double the income received by the Township for each event scheduled.  More importantly, the rental income generated from both The Grove and Senior/Community Center rentals will allow the Township to sustain both these community resources while decreasing the reliance on general fund dollars for their operation.


Neighborhood Meetings Continue
neighborhood meetingSetting the stage for the next generation takes planning, forethought, and most of all - your input. The Springfield Township neighborhood meetings are underway. Less than half of the meetings have been carried out, yet the Trustees and Administration are already working together and taking all of your feedback into consideration. From each meeting, Trustees are asking for volunteers in the neighborhood who are willing to serve on a steering committee. Only three to seven individuals will be selected for each neighborhood, based on their work or civic experience. If you were unable to attend your neighborhood meeting, and are interested in being considered for the steering committee in your neighborhood, email your name, address and experience to [email protected].

So far, the neighborhoods of Valleydale, Edgemont & Caldwell; Sevenhills; West College Hill and Golfway; Hollydale and Lexington Heights have been completed. Like all neighborhood meetings, these were taped and are now "on demand" on Waycross.com. You may view the meetings online, and they will also be played on Channel 23 throughout the month.

A complete list of neighborhood meetings can be found here. On this link, you can click on the "street-by-street listing" to find your meeting if it is unclear by the map provided. Residents will also receive a postcard in the mail 10 days prior to their scheduled meeting.
Fire Department Open House Event


fire open house
Fire Department Open House
Saturday, October 3, 2009 
Noon - 4:00 p.m.

 
Mark your calendars for October 3rd! That's when the annual Fire Department Open House takes place! The much anticipated family event celebrates Fire Safety Week with demonstrations and hands-on activities for the whole family.
 
Come out to see firefighters in action! The open house will take place at the main station, 9150 Winton Road. Activities will take place throughout the day, beginning at noon and ending by 4:00p.m. Safety booths will be stationed with learning activities. Demonstrations of EMT rescue, live burn, fire extinguisher, and smoke alarms are scheduled. Kids can climb aboard a ladder truck, practice their stop drop and roll, and even crawl through the safe house.
 
Admission is free!
 
OPEN HOUSE EVENT SCHEDULE AVAILABLE ONLINE
Click Here to View Event Activities
Electric & Gas Aggregation - A "WIN" For Residents!
Moving to natural gas and electric aggregation has paid off big for Springfield Township residents! Several months ago Trustees Tom Bryan, Gwen McFarlin and Joe Honerlaw committed to an electric aggregation program for Township residents. Aggregation allows residents and small business owners to pool together and receive a "group rate" for energy supply. The decision to enter into an electric agreement was made due to the success of the gas aggregation program and also to the low locked-in rate that the Township was offered. Trustees are happy to report that on average, residents have saved $52.26 on their electric bills since June, 2009. In addition, residents on average have saved $121.20 since April, 2008 on their gas bills!
A Follow-up To The Sold on Springfield Township Event

policeSpringfield Township hosted its first ever one-day open house event on Sunday, September 20th. Over 150 properties were featured and potential homeowners were treated to a gift bag, $250 off closing costs and a dinner at Winton Woods Parky's Farm. Rainy skies kept away some, but those who attended reported a positive experience with the community. 43% of the registered  guests came from outside Springfield Township. Looking for an opportunity to take advantage of the $8,000 first time homebuyers tax credit, young professionals and families sought Springfield Township as a place to call home.

We would like to thank the sponsors who made this event possible. Please visit these local businesses and thank them for their community support. Without them, this event would not have been possible: North Side Bank, Drees at Bridge Creek, Sibcy Cline, Donatos Pizza and Finneytown Skyline Chili. We would also like to recognize Waycross and the Cincinnati Enquirer for the talents they shared in helping us promote the community.
Springfield Township Blood Drive Saves Lives
blood drive

For the past five years, the Springfield Township Fire Department has hosted a life-saving blood drive with Hoxworth. This year, the event will take place on Monday, October 12 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The blood drive will be hosted in the fire training room at 9150 Winton Road. If you are able to donate blood, please call 521-7578 to schedule an appointment. Your donation is greatly needed.

Previous Blood Drive Totals
Year     Units     Lives Saved
2005     21         63
2006     26         78
2007     28         84
2008     34         105
 
Total     109       330
Call the "Wicked Windows Along Winton" Hotline and Vote For Your Favorite Design!

Finneytown High School art students have an interesting project this year that may include a few mummies, goblins and ghouls! Students of Mrs. Ficke's painting classes will soon be working on Halloween designs that could be featured on local business windows along Winton Road! Several businesses in the Finneytown School District have donated their windows and money for a Halloween painting kit for the students to paint their spooky designs.

The windows will be painted the week of October 19th. Beginning October 24th, residents and shoppers will have a chance to call the "Wicked Windows Hotline" at 522-2108 to vote for their favorite window.  (One vote per person please.)

A full list of participating businesses will be on the Township's website shortly.   Businesses along Winton Road, such as Skyline, Curves, Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA, Burke Hardware, Uncle Bill's Landscape, WesBanco & Garden Center and Sibcy Cline have already committed to having a window or two. The more windows that are donated, the more kids can participate.

One student will walk away with a cash award for the most votes. The winner will be announced on November 2nd.

*To find out more about participating as a business, call Kimberlee Flamm at 522-1410 or send an email to [email protected].
Service Department Crew Member Takes First Place in Annual Snow Plow Rodeo

Members of the Springfield Township Service Department ranked in the top ten in the 21st annual Snow Plow Rodeo! 

The annual Snow Plow Rodeo is a training event held each fall, prior to the onset of winter. The event is designed to gear drivers up for the approaching snow season.

The drivers first undergo a pre-trip inspection test to ensure they are prepared with the proper vehicle equipment, just as they must do before they take their vehicles out on a snow and ice run. Afterwards, obstacles of cones and barrels, representing curbs, vehicles and mailboxes are placed along a strenous driving course. The course is timed and points are deducted for hitting objects and for the amount of time it takes to complete the task.
 
Over 60 drivers competed in the "Township Division". Three drivers from Springfield Township placed in the top ten. Among the winners, Chuck Saylor, who has been with the department for thirty-five years took first place, Mark Goldick took fifth, and Jeff Chamberlin claimed seventh! Springfield Township has claimed first or second place 11 out of 21 years. Way to go, guys!!
Trash to Tile! Resident recycling helped furnish the Senior Center with much needed flooring

police(Left: The old stained carpet was damaged beyond repair! Right: The new flooring system, made of 35% recycled material by weight) 




Members of the Springfield Township Senior Center and various community groups are seeing first-hand just how much recycling can benefit the community!
 
The Township was able to replace the worn and soiled carpeting in the upper meeting room of the Senior/Community Center with a more durable, lower maintenance vinyl floor.  By selecting a flooring product made of recycled material, the Township was able to utilize funds provided through the Hamilton County Residential Recycling Incentive Program and replace the flooring without impacting the Township's General Fund.
 
As part of the recycling incentive program, Springfield Township receives approximately $7 per ton of material recycled through both the curbside and drop-off programs.  As specified by the County Solid Waste Management District, these funds are placed in a separate account and can only be used for the support of recycling programs or the purchase of products made from recycled material.  "I had no idea that what I recycled at the curb could help the Township pay for needed supplies and equipment," said Senior Center member and Township recycler Mary Wagner.
 
By residents taking the simple steps of separating those materials that can be recycled from their regular trash, we are not only saving valuable natural resources and prolonging the lifespan of our existing landfills, but we now have the benefit of cleaner and brighter space for senior and community activities without impacting the taxpayers of Springfield Township.
 
If you aren't currently recycling, you should give it a try. You never know how many ways you may benefit from keeping that aluminum can, newspaper or two liter bottle out of your trash can!


Stephanie Hummer Park - Now With a New Beat!











A crowd of one hundred gathered around to celebrate the life of former resident, Julie Hoffman. In her memory, a set of percussion instruments for kids to play on at Stephanie Hummer Park was dedicated.

Friends and family of Julie Hoffman asked the Township how they could memorialize Julie. Her love was for children and music. Trustees found the perfect fit at the existing playground at the Stephanie Hummer Park on North Bend Road. The family hosted several fundraisers in order to save the $6,000 needed for the new equipment.

Stephanie Hummer Park, well know in the Township for it's lush soccer fields, hosts thousands of children throughout the year. The new equipment is a great addition to the existing playground.

Learn more about Stephanie Hummer Park
Hamilton County Board of Elections:
Your Voting Location May Have Changed

Press release submitted by Hamilton County:

All voters in Hamilton County will soon be receiving cards in the mail indicating their polling location and providing the voter with an Absentee Voter Request form.  Board of Elections (BOE) Director, Sally Krisel, asks "voters to look for the mailing and check where you go to vote before Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd." 
 
Voters can locate their polling place on-line at the BOE's website:  www.votehamiltoncounty.org -   click on the top button WHERE DO I VOTE and follow the prompts to their address.  A sample ballot for that precinct and a map to the polling location are provided at the same time.
 
In June, the BOE consolidated 200 voting precincts in Hamilton County to reduce election costs. With early voting and no-fault absentee voting in Ohio, voters have the ability to vote weeks ahead of    Election Day and the impact of the consolidated precincts will be lessened by the fewer number of voters that actually go to the polls on Election Day.
 
Voters can also check to see if they are registered to vote at:  www.votehamiltoncounty.org -   click on the top button AM I REGISTERED and follow the prompts.  "You may be registered to vote, but moved since you last voted.  You have until 9:00 p.m. on October 5th to register to vote or update your registration," said Amy Searcy, Deputy Director.  Registration forms are available at the BOE office, local library branches, and Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices.  For questions about voter registration call 632-7034.
 
Absentee and In-Office voting began on Tuesday, September 29th.  The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 12 noon on Saturday, October 31st.  The BOE suggests getting your request to vote by mail in as soon as possible so you can get your ballot sent, voted and mailed back to the BOE by Monday,  November 2nd   or dropped off in person at the BOE by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd.   
 
Special hours for In-office voting will be Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon; and Monday-Friday, October 19 through October 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For questions about Absentee Voting or In-office voting call 632-7039.

Trick-or-Treating in Springfield Township


Trick-or-Treat in Springfield Township will take place on Saturday, October 31
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Quick Links

Neighborhood Meeting Date


October 5

"Hamilton Southwest" - Skyline Acres, Ranchill, Adams Ridge, Heudaphol, Miles areas


October 7
"Hamilton Northeast"
Covered Bridge, New Burlington, Ridgevale
Golf View Areas



October 14
"Winton Northwest"
 North & South of West McKelvey, Sarbrook, Lakeside area



October 19
Pleasant Run Farms


October 21
"Winton North East" Long Lane, Millbrook, Windcrest Acres, Meadows of Wright
 Farms, Bonham, Lochcrest, Lakeshore


October 26
Finneytown

Flu and Pneumonia Shots Available At Senior Center

Maxim Health Services will be offering flu and pneumonia shots at the Springfield Township Senior & Community Center on Friday, October 9, from  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Senior/Community Center is located at 9158 Winton Road, behind the Springfield Township Administration Complex.

Maxim will bill Medicare Part B or participating health plans for recipients with valid coverage and who provide proper documentation of proof of such coverage. Maxim will provide those without Medicare or a participating health care plan receipts for those wishing to seek reimbursement.  Cost for flu shots will be $30 and $45 for pneumonia shots.  
Those who are members of the Springfield Township Senior Center have the added benefit of making an appointment for their flu shot by signing up at the center or calling 522-1154. 

For more information about Maxim's flu shot program, go to www.findaflushot.com.


Five Minute Videos
Waycross community media interviews Springfield Township officials quarterly on topics of interest. To further our communications with residents, we decided to structure the show in a new way. For the first time ever, Talking With Springfield Township features a series of 5 minute segments. These can be seen during the regularly scheduled air dates on Channel 23, as well as on the Township's You Tube page! 

Here are the segments you can watch right now!

� Neighborhood Meetings and the Township Finances (20 Minutes)

� Meet the K9 Unit and learn about its importance to safety in our community. (5 Minutes)

� Rapid Assistance Training - Firefighters training to get a trapped firefighter out of a burning building.
(5 Minutes)

Snow Emergencies and how the salt crew clears our streets as quickly as possible
(5 Minutes)

� The Meals on Wheels Program
(
5 minutes)

� Spotlight on Winton Woods
(10 Minutes)

Upcoming Community Events
See event details and more events here

October 3
Fire Department Open House

October 4-31
Northern Hills United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

October 8 - 30
Winton Woods "Halloween Nights"
View Details Here

October 9
Northern Hills United Methodist Church Rummage Sale

October 10
Northern Hills United Methodist Church Children's Pumpkin Patch Party

October 12
Fire Department Blood Drive

October 17
St. Vivian's Toy & Clothing Sale

October 17
Parent's Night Out Sponsored by Northern Hills United Methodist Church

October 18
Mill Creek Monster Dash 5K Race

October 23
LifeSpring Christian Church
Fall Fest

October 24-31
Halloween Window Painting Contest (Vote by calling 522-2108)

October 27
Dr. Jahnke's Stress & Detoxification Seminar

October 28
Family Pumpkin Decorating Night at the YMCA

October 28
Trunk-or-Treat
First Baptist of MtHealthy

October 28
Pumpkin Carving Contest at St. Vivian School

October 31
Finneytown School District's "Treat the Hungry" program



Greeting Card Workshop at the Senior/Community Center

Discover the joy of making and sharing handcrafted holiday greeting cards during a special two-part workshop being offered at The Springfield Township Senior Community Center in November and December on Thursday evenings - November 5th and 12th and December 3rd and 10th - from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Cost for each two-part series is $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.
 
This Technique Toolbox™ workshop will be led by Mary Ann Mayers. She will introduce four rubber stamping techniques at each meeting, and attendees will make four cards featuring those techniques. Everyone will also make four "reference" cards to save in their Rubber Stamping Technique Toolkit book, so they can remember the instructions for future cards and scrapbook projects.   Attendees should bring a 12 inch paper cutter, scissors, and a glue stick or tape adhesive. Each 1� hour class is packed with instruction, inspiration and fun, and all supplies for the cards, reference cards, and Technique Toolbox book are included.

A minimum of eight participants will be required to conduct the class, with a maximum registration of 16. 

Register at the Springfield Township Senior/Community Center, by calling 522-1154 or email to [email protected].

 Check or money order payments will be accepted. Credit card payments will also be accepted with a 3% surcharge. 

Normal Center operating hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.




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Did You Know?
 Springfield Township is on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube! (Click on any link to join that group)


Pass it on!
Many residents are not signed up to receive e-news from the Township. Pass this email along to your neighbors and encourage them to register for news and event updates.

If you are interested in volunteering for special events, let us know! Email your name, address, phone number and areas of interest.