Village of Greenfield, OH

Greenfield Council members (l-r) Kyle Barr, Eric Borsini, Amie Ernst, and Brenda Losey are shown at Tuesday's regular meeting. Council chair Phil Clyburn was excused from the meeting. (Photo by Angela Shepherd.)

By Angela Shepherd

Village of Greenfield

 

A pedestrian bridge on the west end of Greenfield has come up here and there over the last couple years, but now instead of it being a matter of how to make it happen, it’s a matter of when it will happen as a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation was awarded to Greenfield that will make the bridge possible.

There is currently no way to cross the small creek beyond the library and Greenhills Village Apartments without walking across the narrow vehicle bridge. It is a dangerous situation. Despite the lack of pedestrian-friendly places to walk or bike, there tends to be a good bit of foot and bicycle traffic in that area. Additionally, that foot and bike traffic will likely only be compounded since Highland County Community Action recently opened its doors in the old Shopko building on the west side of the creek. 

City manager Todd Wilkin in his report to the Greenfield council at its meeting May 4 said the ODOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant is for $288,000 and will include a pedestrian bridge across the creek and new sidewalks to connect the existing sidewalks on that side of town. 

 

New Directions recognized

In other matters, New Directions was recognized at the council meeting by proclamation, which was received by director Tonia McLanahan, who was the first director of the youth ministry in 1989 when it began, and then returned to the role in 2019. 

McLanahan was joined by a couple eight grade students who had been at New Directions that evening and decided to come check out the council meeting.

The proclamation recognizes the youth organization for its more than three decades of building faith and encouraging local youth, the good works of its members that extend well beyond Greenfield, and the “significant and eternal impact” the organization has made and continues to make. 

 

Go here, not there, to pay water bill

Wilkin reported that an issue has been discovered recently with residents paying their water and sewer bill online. The issue was discovered as the village set out recently to shut off water at residences where the bill had not been paid, however, it was discovered at multiple properties that people had paid, but had gone through a payment site not affiliated with the village and the village had not yet received the payment. 

The city manager said these people had literally Googled how to pay their water bill in Greenfield, Ohio, and some had been directed to doxo.com. While payment from the unaffiliated site will eventually come to the village, it is not the right way to do this, Wilkin said.

Anyone who wants to pay their water and sewer bill online should go to the village’s website at greenfieldohio.net. Once there, click on “Pay Your Utility Bill Online.” You will be routed to Invoicecloud.com where you can pay. Additionally, for those who register with an email address or cell number for online pay, you will receive an email or text message reminder with a link on which to pay every month. 

 

Paving work under budget

The project on north Fifth Street for curbs, gutters, and to replace the storm sewer is winding down, and as the project as a whole came in under budget, Wilkin said that part of Fifth Street from Mill Street to Evans Street will be able to receive new paving instead of just the patching that was initially planned for. 

Wilkin said these are the first pieces in place to get aging infrastructure fixed across the village as finances allow. Inflow and infiltration are a matter of concern in places throughout the village due to the aging infrastructure, but Mill and Fifth streets getting fixed are steps to reducing the excessive water intrusion into the village’s system. The next steps are to address Fayette Street and then Fourth Street. 

In his report, finance director Gary Lewis presented April’s preliminary numbers. Those are: month-to-date revenue - $389,089; month-to-date expense - $452,179; year-to-date revenue - $1.67 million; year-to-date expense - $1.42 million; and a general fund balance as of April 30, 2021 of $358,220. 

Wilkin reported that the village has applied for a grant to hold another tire rodeo and paper shredding event as was done a couple years ago. The last event was very successful, he said, and the village is hoping to get the grant again. 

 

No fishing in advance of June 5 derby

Council member Brenda Losey, reporting from a communication from Jimmy Jones, said that no-fishing signs are being posted at the Mitchell Park pond in preparation for the kids’ fishing derby set for June 5. 

With Memorial Day coming up, Wilkin wondered in his report to council who is going to head up the program this year, adding that he hopes that things are as they have been in past years, with the exception of 2020, “with the parade and the whole nine yards.” The thing is, the village hasn’t heard from any group yet as to whether the traditional Memorial Day observance will take place or not. In past years it has been organized by the Concerned Veterans of Greenfield. 

 

Upcoming events:

-- National Day of Prayer to be observed on May 6 at noon on the city hall lawn.

-- Highland County Community Action Organization will host an open house/grand opening event at its new Greenfield location on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

-- McClain High School students and staff will perform various community service projects across the village as they participate in the annual MHS Day on May 14. 

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.netglewis@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 or Shawna McCoy at smccoy@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.

New Directions Director Tonia McLanahan is pictured, along with eighth graders Jordan Brown and Meezy Copas who attend the youth ministry (all center), with a proclamation from the village recognizing the work of New Directions over its 32 years. Also pictured are council members Eric Borsini and Kyle Barr to the left and council members Amie Ernst and Brenda Losey to the right. (Photo by Angela Shepherd.)