Village of Greenfield, OH

Local artist, author, and teacher William (Bill) Roller was recognized by Greenfield Village Council meeting as April’s Citizen-of-the-Month. He created the logo -- a caricature of the clock tower on the city building known as “Duncan” that was inspired by Greenfield’s history and the people that have left their mark on the village -- for Grow Greater Greenfield’s (G3) "Keep Our Countrie Towne Greene" campaign. Through the several children’s books he has written, Bill has helped bring significant awareness to and about Greenfield. The village and the community are very grateful for the good things he does in and for the community. Thank you, Bill, and congratulations! (Photo by Angela Shepherd)

Tree Commission member Ron Coffey (far right) is pictured with council members (l-r) Phil Clyburn, Eric Borsini, Amie Ernst, Brenda Losey, and Kyle Barr for a proclamation reading honoring Arbor Day, which is April 30. Coffey is holding a seedling, more than 100 of which will be given out on Arbor Day at the city building. Seedings have already been distributed to first graders and trees planted at the local nursing homes, which are Arbor Day traditions in Greenfield. (Angela Shepherd photo)

By Angela Shepherd
Village of Greenfield



Greenfield police officer Mark Hamilton was recognized as April’s Employee of the Month. According to City Manager Todd Wilkin, the nomination was made by a personal note from a citizen who Hamilton helped through a situation. Wilkin added that the officer, who has been with the department for a couple years, every day continues to learn and create a positive impact in the community. 

Local artist, author and teacher WIlliam (Bill) Roller was recognized with April’s Citizen of the Month Award. Roller created the logo – a caricature of the clock tower on the city building known as “Duncan” that was inspired by Greenfield’s history and the people that have left their mark on the village – for Grow Greater Greenfield’s (G3) "Keep Our Countrie Towne Greene" campaign. 

Wilkin said Roller, through the several children’s books he has written, has brought “significant awareness to and about Greenfield,” adding that the village is grateful for the good things Roller does in and for the community.

Cleanup campaign starts April 24

The campaign kicks off Saturday, April 24 for cleanup efforts in the village beginning at 9 a.m. at the city building. The group has green trash bags for use during the event. Gloves and water will be provided to those who come to help. 

That day is also the village-wide cleanup day and from 9 a.m. to noon, dumpsters will be provided on South Washington Street near the railroad tracks. As with previous cleanup events, this is not for household trash, but for larger items. Additionally, this service is for residents only, not contractor or business trash. Paint is allowed, but must be dry, whether in the can or on cardboard. Batteries, tires or items containing freon will not be allowed. Pickup is available for the elderly and disabled by calling (937) 981-3500 by 4 p.m. on April 23. 

Additionally, the yard waste site will be open April 23 from noon to 4 p.m. and April 24 from 8 a.m. to noon at the wastewater treatment facility located at 187 Lost Bridge Road. Only compostable materials are accepted. The service is free to all residents within the village.

Arbor Day activities noted

Tree Commission member Ron Coffey was presented with a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day, which is April 30. As in previous years, with the exception of last year due to the pandemic, the administration has visited Greenfield, Buckskin and Rainsboro schools and distributed seedlings to first graders. Additionally, village officials help plant a tree at each of Greenfield’s two nursing homes. This was all done last week. 

On Arbor Day this year, tree commission members will be at the city building beginning at 10 a.m. to distribute free seedlings to those interested. According to Coffey, there is an assortment of different tree types and they will be given out on a first come, first-served basis.

Unger Fishing Derby set for June 5

Council member Brenda Losey said she had a communication from Jimmy Jones, who announced earlier in the year that he and his wife, Elisabeth, were hoping to bring back the Daryle Unger & Peanut Memorial Kids Fishing Derby this year. Losey said Jones has set the derby date for June 5 with a rain date of June 12. A fundraiser for the kids’ fishing derby, as well as for the Daryle C. Unger Memorial Scholarship Fund, is set for Saturday, April 24 at the Greenfield Eagles Lodge beginning at 6 p.m.

‘Significant paving’ planned for 2021

In his report, Wilkin announced that paving bids were received last week for a “significant amount” of paving throughout the village. With the bid the village plans to go with, enough money will remain from the initial budgeted amount to handle prep work for ODOT’s planned paving of north Washington Street next year. Wilkin said in this sort of project, ODOT carries all the cost of the paving, but prep work – things like fixing damaged curbs and potholes prior to the paving – are the village’s responsibility. 

Legislation having its first reading by council members included resolutions for the adoption of a council code of conduct and a social media policy for the village. Other legislation, which was unanimously adopted by council members, was for the purchase of a dump truck. According to Wilkin, the village will keep its aging truck, which is usable, but unreliable and ”is on its last legs.” It was noted that the purchase was below the amount budgeted in the 2021 appropriations. 

Importance of partnerships emphasized

Law Director Hannah Bivens in her report told council about a recent meeting she and Wilkin had with the Highland County Land Bank regarding that entity, instead of the county auditor’s office, being the agent to remove old tax assessments from properties that have been relinquished through quitclaim deed. 

Wilkin said they also met with Hillsboro’s safety service director and economic development office to talk about ideas and blight issues and how those are handled by Greenfield. Wilkin said he appreciated the discussion and partnership shared in the county. “We are so much better as a county and region when we are working together,” he said.

On the related matter of partnerships, Greenfield hosted an industrial roundtable meeting last week that included local educators, business leaders and village officials. While these meetings are held a few times a year, this particular meeting was to hear about Building Bridges to Careers, a nonprofit organization that is successfully tackling workforce issues in the Washington County area. Partnership was the main theme of that meeting.

In other business, beginning May 1, a fee will be applied any time there is a water bill paid with a credit card. Currently, whenever someone is paying their water bill by credit card, a convenience fee is applied, except when they call the water office and pay over the phone. 

Another matter at the water department that is changing is there will no longer be any “deals” for water and sewer payments. Wilkin said every month there are several consumers who call in to work out a plan for minimum payment deals, but this can’t happen anymore because it is an issue with the state auditor’s office. Wilkin said there is legislation outlining what percentage of a water bill must be paid each month until it's paid off and that will be followed. 

A finance committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 7 at 10 a.m. in the council chambers. The meeting is open to the public. 

The city offices on the third floor remain closed to the public at this time. To reach the office by phone, call (937) 981-3500, or reach the following by email: City Manager Todd Wilkin, citymanager@greenfieldohio.net; Finance Director Gary Lewis, glewis@greenfieldohio.net; and for Building and Permits, cemetery, or council matters, email Sherry Parker at sparker@greenfieldohio.net. To reach the Water and Sewer Department, call (937) 981-2082, email Kathy Patton at kpatton@greenfieldohio.net. 

Greenfield Village Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the third floor of the city building. When possible, the meetings are also live-streamed on the village’s Facebook page. For information and updates, go to greenfieldohio.net or the Village of Greenfield, Ohio Facebook page.

Greenfield police officer Mark Hamilton was recognized as April’s Employee-of-the-Month. The nomination was made by a personal note from a citizen who Hamilton helped through a situation. City manager Todd Wilkin said officer Hamilton, who has been with the department for several years, continues to learn every day and create a positive impact in the community. Thank you officer Hamilton for all you do for Greenfield! (Photo by Angela Shepherd)