Village of Greenfield, OH

Pictured during Monday's Greenfield Council meeting are (l-r) council members Mary Ellen McMurry, Phil Clyburn, Jessalynn Hunter, and Brenda Losey. Council member Eric Borsini joined the meeting remotely. (photo by Angela Shepherd)

By Angela Shepherd
Village of Greenfield

Greenfield is a step closer to realizing a parks district following the passage of legislation at the Aug. 15 council meeting to work with OHM Advisors for the creation of a master plan.

It’s something, really, that was begun a few years ago but mostly focused on Felson Park. Efforts fell away with the pandemic, but then a few months ago, the whole thing was revived with the formation of a group of volunteers to lead the process. 

This master plan is to be a “comprehensive vision” for a park system in Greenfield, which encompasses not just Mitchell and Felson parks, but also the cemetery, Rucker’s Quarry, the industrial park, bike path, and even empty lots throughout the community that can be turned into green spaces to be enjoyed.

The whole idea, city manager Todd Wilkin said, is to create a parks district that will not only benefit the citizens with beautiful spaces to be enjoyed throughout the village, but that will also draw others to Greenfield. 

In other matters, recognitions were made during the Aug. 15 council meeting, which included awards and police officers being sworn-in to their positions. 

Amber Beavers is the August citizen of the month. She was nominated anonymously for the tremendous work she has done the last four years with Adam’s Hope and bringing awareness to the impact of addiction. Adam’s Hope has sponsored walks since 2019 to not only honor Beaver’s brother as well as others lost to addiction, but to provide support to those affected by addiction. 

The next Adam’s Hope event is happening Saturday, Aug. 27 from noon to 8 p.m. Check out the Adam’s Hope Facebook page for more information. With any money that is raised, Beavers previously said it goes to help get people to rehab and also to help provide hygiene products to rehab facilities. 

The August employee of the month is finance director Gary Lewis, who has been with the village for more than three years. His work is something Wilkin said is rarely seen by the public, but that is certainly vital to the public. 

Two new police officers were sworn in and three others were sworn in at their new ranks at the meeting. The new patrol officers are Alex Rosado and Justin Brewer. Rosado is new to the Greenfield Police Department (GPD), but Brewer has been with Greenfield as a mechanic since 2007. Robert Hamilton has been GPD for more than eight years and Monday was sworn in as sergeant. Jay Beatty has been with GPD for three years and was sworn in as sergeant. Michael Fryer has been with GPD for 5 years and was sworn in as lieutenant. 

In other business, council members passed legislation creating a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) for downtown Greenfield. The version passed Monday was revised from the initial offering following feedback from the public. Those revisions concerned the times that DORA could begin on Thursdays and Fridays. 

In his report to council, Lewis presented July’s financial snapshot. It is as follows: month-to-date revenue - $580,570; month-to-date expense - $381,306; year-to-date revenue - $2.91 million; year-to-date expense - $1.70 million; and a general fund balance as of July 31, 2022 of $482,107. 

Wilkin noted in his report to council that this coming Saturday, Aug. 20, the community will have the opportunity to recognize fallen World War II soldier Joseph Hoffman. He died at Pearl Harbor, but his remains were just identified in 2020. Go to the post on the Village of Greenfield, Ohio Facebook page to see more information about Hoffman and the events happening Saturday. 

The village is holding a tire rodeo on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the gravel lot beside the railroad tracks on south Washington Street. Those participating in this event must provide proof of living in Greenfield by presenting a water bill. If you need assistance with the transport of tires, call the village offices to schedule at 937-981-3500 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The Greenfield Village Council meets in regular session the first and third Monday of each month in the council chambers on the third floor of the city building at 7 p.m. Meetings are also streamed live on Facebook. Go to the Village of Greenfield, Ohio Facebook page andgreenfieldohio.net for news and information.