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City of Bellbrook Community Report
A p ri l 2 012
Vo lum e XVIII, Issue 1
A Pub li c a tion o f th e C i ty o f B e ll b ro o k
34th Sugar Maple Festival
Sugar Maple Festival Goes to the Olympics
April 20th – 22nd, 2012
Come join the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek community as it celebrates the 34th Annual Sugar
Maple Festival in downtown Bellbrook on April 20th – 22nd. The theme of this year’s
festival is “Sugar Maple Festival Goes to the Olympics” celebrating the 2012 Summer
Olympics in London, England. As always, there will be numerous activities for everyone.
Entertainment includes live music, a parade, children’s activities, crafts and food
vendors. Other activities include a 5K run and a dog show. Come be a part of the fun!
For more information, visit the festival website at www.sugarmaplefestival.com
Event Schedule
Entertainment Schedule
th
Friday, April 20
Main Street Closure ................................. 10:00 AM
Franklin Street Closure............................... 5:00 PM
Dog Show Registration ...........................6 - 6:30 PM
Dog Show ............................................... 6:30 PM
Food Vendors .................................. 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, April 21st
Pancake Breakfast .......................... 8:30 - 10:30 AM
5K Registration ........................................8:00 AM
5K Run Start ...........................................9:00 AM
National Anthem .................................... 11:30 AM
Parade Start ......................................... 11:30 AM
Entertainment .................................... Noon - 7 PM
Children’s Activities ............................. Noon - 6 PM
* Craft and Food Vendors open 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
** Entertainment open 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 22nd
Children’s Activities ............................. Noon - 4 PM
* Craft and Food Vendors open 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
** Entertainment open 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Annual 5k Race
The
Annual
5k
Race will be held
April 21st with a
start time of 9 AM.
Registration
will
take place at 8 AM
at
Sugarcreek
Elementary School
(51 S. East St.).
This is an Ohio River Road Runners
Club event; therefore, club race
entry fees apply (Club members $3;
non-club members $6). The race
takes place on Washington Mill Rd.
Saturday, April 21st
National Anthem to be sung from Reviewing Stand prior
to parade – 11:30 AM
Bellbrock Park
Bellbrook Jazz Band ................................. 1:30 PM
Todd the Fox .......................................... 2:45 PM
The Measures ......................................... 5:15 PM
Sugarcreek Township Fire Department
Bellbrook Dance Academy ......................... 12:30 PM
Twp. Fire Dept. Auto Extrication .................. 2:00 PM
Sunday, April 22nd
Bellbrock Park
Rick Fannin ........................................... 12:00 PM
Danny Voris ............................................ 1:30 PM
Muddy River Band .................................... 3:00 PM
Sugarcreek Township Fire Department
Twp. Fire Dept. Auto Extrication .................. 2:00 PM
Festival Commemorative Plates
The 2012 Sugar Maple Festival
Commemorative Plate was designed
by Ethan Aldridge. Aldridge is an
eighth grade student at Bellbrook
Middle School. He is a straight-A
student who enjoys drawing and
playing video games. His inspiration
for this year’s plate is WintersBellbrook Library. Winters Library is
named after one of Bellbrook’s
famous residents, Jonathan Winters.
festival and the week following.
Dot's Market is located at 118 W.
Franklin Street (State Route 725) in
Bellbrook. During the festival, the
plates can also be purchased at the
Sugar Maple Festival tent in
Bellbrock Park. The 2012 plates will
be sold for $17. Previous festival
plates can be purchased at a
discounted price of $8 (limited years
and quantities available).
The Commemorative Plates will go
on sale Monday, April 16th, at Dot's
Market. They will continue to be
sold at Dot's Market during the
To
purchase
one
of
these
Commemorative
Plates,
please
contact Holly Levine at (937) 7509925 or hollyx2jb@hotmail.com .
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
34th Sugar Maple Festival: April 20th – 22nd, 2012
School & Children’s Activities
School: Sugar Maple Festival school
activities chair, Jennifer Lewis, will be
meeting with children in small groups
and reading stories about sugar maple
trees and how maple syrup is made.
Visits will be made to Stephen Bell
Elementary (during each class' assigned
library time), Sugarcreek Education
Center Preschool and Happy Child
Preschool the week of April 16th. Each
student will also have the opportunity
Food
Vendors: The Sugar Maple Festival
will once again offer a wide variety of
food for festival-goers.
So many
choices, so little time! Come hungry to
the festival because every type of
festival food favorites will be offered
along Main Street.
Giant pork
tenderloin sandwiches, maple sugar
candies, fried moon pies, smokehouse
BBQ ribs, grilled salmon and crab
cakes, Cajun gumbo or blackened
chicken & rice, delectable grilled pork
chops, sirloin steak sandwiches, Dippin’
Dots, frozen cheesecake on a stick,
frozen chocolate dipped bananas,
pulled BBQ pork, icees and icee floats,
Recycled Sculpture
Contest
Help the festival spread the word
about recycling and discarding less
waste by using your imagination and
creating a unique sculpture out of
recycled materials! Sculptures will
be displayed during the festival
weekend from Friday to Sunday.
Cash prizes and ribbons will be
awarded for all categories which
include: Individuals by age groups,
businesses
and
community
organizations. To find out more
information on the specifics of the
contest, visit the festival website at
www.sugarmaplefestival.com .
Crafts
The Sugar Maple Festival will once
again offer an assortment of local and
regional arts and craft vendors.
Approximately 75 booths will line the
to taste some real maple syrup.
Cookies and brochures for all teachers
and students will also be provided.
Children: The festival offers multiple
FREE activities for children of all ages.
Games include Dinosaur Dig, Fish Pond,
Duck Pond, Plinko, Skee Ball & Spin Me
- Win Me!


painting and carnival games
2 PM Hula Hoop Contest
4 PM Jump Rope Contest
Sunday, April 22nd
 Noon - 4 PM Face tattoos, hair
painting and carnival games
Saturday, April 21st
 Noon - 6 PM Face tattoos, hair
Texas taters, fried bloomin onions,
corn on the cob, hot pretzels,
smoothies, pita pocket sandwiches,
apple flappins, deep fried pickles,
firehouse 'Fire Dogs,' baked goods and
the ever-popular hot dogs, hamburgers,
french fries, cotton candy, popcorn and
soft drinks of all flavors. It will all be
there!
Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale:
The annual “all you can eat” pancake
breakfast will be held Saturday, April
21st at the Bellbrook United Methodist
Church from 7:00 – 11:00 AM. Costs are
$5 for Adults and $3.50 for Children.
streets. Returning this year among
others are Earth Born Jewelry,
Heartland Herbs, White Mountain
Honey Farm, and three artists
specializing in oil paints on canvas. We
will also have grapevine trees, candles,
sand art, several different jewelers,
tie-dyed shirts, air brushed clothing,
American Girl doll clothes, and country
décor. For more information, contact
Pam Ryan at (937) 848-9588.
Dogth Show
The 6 Annual Sugar Maple Festival Dog
Show is Friday, April 20th. Registration
is from 6:00 - 6:30 PM behind
Sugarcreek Elementary. The categories
are: cutest puppy (up to 12 months),
cutest dog (over 12 months), ugliest,
smallest, largest, best costume and
silly dog tricks. Each of the above
categories awards a 1st, 2nd and 3rd
place trophy. There is also a Best of
Show winner. The winning dogs will be
invited to participate in Saturday's
Syrup: As always, Maple Syrup will be
available for purchase in Bellbrock
Park. Syrup prices: 32 oz. ($20), 16 oz.
($12), 12 oz. ($10) and 8 oz. ($8). Bline
Farms from Springfield produces the
syrup.
parade. Food and beverage will be
available at the show. The rain date is
Saturday, April 21st at the same time.
Transportation
Free Shuttles run from Bell Creek
Intermediate School on Upper Bellbrook
Road to Bellbrock Park during festival
hours.
The Sugar Maple Festival
Committee is currently looking for
more drivers. If interested, contact
Louie Schatzberg at (937) 760-8401.
Handicapped Parking will be
available at 26 N. West Street. (BellHop
Cafe)
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
34th Sugar Maple Festival: April 20th – 22nd, 2012
Come Explore at the Festival…
The Bellbrook Historical Society
will again showcase the Bellbrook
Historical Museum.
Look for new
exhibits and interesting presenters as
you tour the museum with docents
from the Historical Society. A rotating
exhibit will feature their exhibit Hats
and Vintage Accessories. Their booth
will focus on selling those wonderful
Sugar Maple cookies, history books and
updated disks, prints of some of our
historic buildings and much more. The
historical society’s booth will have a
special
display
featuring
some
Bellbrook houses from their own
exhibit, 200 Homes, 200 Years. A raffle
drawing will be held with proceeds
benefiting the Historical Society.
The Bellbrook Garden Club booth
will highlight the Club's objective to
stimulate interest in gardening and
share how the club members contribute
to
the
Bellbrook
Sugarcreek
community. Look for the winning Earth
Day posters from Bellbrook students, a
worm
compost
farm
display,
educational handouts, Club project
photos from the school and community
gardens and more. Also, the Club will
have a display featuring hummingbirds
and how to attract and feed these
beautiful birds.
Members of the
Bellbrook Garden Club and reference
materials will be available to help with
gardening questions and problems.
Plates. Bellbrock Park also hosts live
entertainment and children’s activities.
Other attractions will include an
educational display from the Greene
County Park District, planting activities
from the Bellbrook Garden Club, and
the popular “free” trees available at
the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District
booth.
Bellbrock Park offers a plethora of
Winters Library will be holding
activity during the festival. Situated in
downtown Bellbrook, it is the location
for maple syrup, corn fritters, kettle
corn and the famous Commemorative
their used books and media sale
during the Sugar Maple Festival! It will
be located at the library, from 10 AM 4 PM on April 20th and 21st.
Community News
Community Spring Events
The Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park
District has many exciting programs
planned for the upcoming summer!
There are programs designed for all
ages, many of which are free or with a
small fee for supplies. Highlights for
the next few months include: Music in
Bellbrock Park, Summer Camps, Nature
Hike
Programs,
Fitness
Classes,
Stargazing, Knitting Classes and a
Weekly Knitting Group, Tween Socials,
4th of July Festivities and much more.
For additional park information,
contact the Park District at (937) 8483535 or visit their website at
www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org.
The
Bellbrook
Garden
Club
continues to be actively involved in the
community. To add a festive flair
during the winter months, club
members arranged greenery in the
planters in the downtown area. The
Club would like to thank Boy Scout
Troop 175 for their donation of
greenery from their annual tree sale.
Recent activities include mentoring
young gardeners and several Girl Scout
troops.
At the Park District’s It’s
Spring, Think Green event, Club
members taught how to correctly plant
and care for the flowers.
The Club’s annual plant sale will be
held on Saturday, May 19th. Shop for
great plants at great prices!
The
proceeds help support the Club’s
various community projects as well as
scholarships to local students. The sale
will be held at 51 South East Street.
For more information on the Bellbrook
Garden Club, visit their website at
www.bellbrookgardenclub.com .
Bellbrook Sugarcreek Historical
Society Visitors are invited to attend
the Society's meetings on the second
Monday of each month. In response to
the significant increase in visitors at
the Museum, a docent training program
is being initiated this spring. Anyone
interested in finding more about this
exciting service opportunity can call
the Museum at (937) 848-2415 for more
information.
Many interesting programs are offered
at the Museum including the chance to
participate in a new genealogy group.
Featured programs during their 2011
calendar included Leon Bay's discussion
of Dayton during the Civil War and
Larry Marple's interpretation of an Ohio
Civil War soldier's life.
President
Theodore Roosevelt joined them for an
evening of historical remembrances. In
May, the Society will be hosting a
picnic at Magee Park.
The final
program will be a tour of the Greene
County Historical Society in June.
Please call, Alice Wiseman, President,
at (937) 862-6021 for more information.
The
Bellbrook
Sugarcreek
Chamber of Commerce will be
sponsoring the annual Community
Garage Sale May 17th – 19th. You may
register your garage sale on the
Chamber website or stop by the
Chamber tent in Bellbrock Park at the
Sugar Maple Festival. The City will
waive the garage sale sign restrictions
from May 17th – May 19th. The Business
Directory is available at the City
municipal building.
The Chamber has organized a free
Collection Day for secure document
destruction on April 17th from 3 – 5 PM
in front of Barleycorns restaurant. The
collection and shredding of your
important papers is being handled by
Greene Inc. Each resident/business is
asked to limit items to one large box.
Please visit the Chamber website at
www.bellbrooksugarcreekchamber.com
for additional Chamber events and
information or call the office at (937)
848-4930.
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
Community News
Winters – Bellbrook Community Library
In addition to the sale during the Sugar Maple Festival, the library will hold a craft supply sale on Saturday, April 28th, from 10
AM – 4 PM. Donate your unwanted craft supplies before the sale, and then stock up with “new” items that day. Proceeds from
both of these sales benefit the Friends of the Winters Library.
As always, we have your favorite new books, music and movies for checkout, online
resources for research, and lots of fun programs. For more information go to
www.greenelibrary.info. Discover, Learn, Grow at YOUR library.
Family Resource Center
The
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek
Family
Resource Center staff would like to
thank residents, businesses, and
community leaders for their continued
support of the Center and families in
need in the community. With your
generosity, 112 families received
assistance during the Christmas holiday
season.
Volunteers assisted at the
Center more than 60 days in 2011.
Without YOU, many programs would
not have been possible. Many families
wrote something similar to what one
mother wrote, “Without your help,
there would not have been Christmas
under the tree.”
Services and requests to the Center
increased 3% over the previous year.
The Center had nearly 1,500 requests
or personal contacts for information or
services in 2011.
This included
inquiries from community residents,
surrounding
communities,
other
organizations, or professionals, and
youth activities. In 2011, Center staff
worked with more than 150 families
living in poverty. It is through your
support and donations that the Family
Resource Center is able to help so many
families. Donations can be made to the
Bellbrook Family Resource Center or
the “Friends of the Family Resource
Center” and mailed to 51 South East
Street, Bellbrook, OH 45305. If you
have any questions about the Family
Resource Center, need assistance,
would like to volunteer, or be added to
an informational email listing, please
contact Susan Lopez at (937) 848-3810.
Again thank you; Bellbrook is truly a
community that cares about each of its
community members.
Bellbrook Sports Success
Eric Lynch In January, Eric Lynch was recognized as an All-American at the National Soccer
Coaches Association’s annual convention for his achievements on the Bellbrook High School men’s
soccer team. Eric is a junior at Bellbrook and has had a successful career at Bellbrook.
Cameron Kelly In March, freshmen Cameron Kelly won Bellbrook’s first ever individual state
wrestling title in the 106 lb. class for Division II. This season, Cameron was 45-1.
Girl’s Basketball On March 16th, the Bellbrook High School girls’ basketball team played in the
state Division II final four against Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown. While the girls did not win, the
community is proud of their accomplishments for making it so far in the tournament!
City News
Message from the Mayor
Dear Residents of Bellbrook,
After one of the mildest winters I can remember, spring has arrived and it’s once again time to get
ready for the 34th Annual Sugar Maple Festival. Hopefully the warm weather we have had in March
will continue for the festival.
The festival committee has put together a great weekend of events, food and entertainment. The
Sugar Maple Festival is a family friendly event and I would encourage our residents to pack up the
kids and come downtown to enjoy the festival.
The festival will kick off with the dog show Friday night. Once again my dog Otis, an English Mastiff,
will be competing in the largest dog category. The dog show categories are cutest puppy (12 months
and younger), cutest dog (over 12 months), ugliest, smallest, largest, best costume and silly dog
tricks. The dog show event is held behind Sugarcreek Elementary and registration begins Friday at
6:00 p.m. The winning dogs will be invited to participate in Saturday's parade.
See you at the festival!
Bob Baird, Mayor
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
Citizen Survey
On Monday, March 12th, the City mailed its first citizen survey. The
intent of the survey is to determine how you, the residents of
Bellbrook, think we are delivering services and your views on various
community topics. The information gathered from this survey will help
gauge your satisfaction with current services and guide future
decisions.
This survey is a joint effort between the City of Bellbrook and the
University of Dayton. The responses you provide will be delivered
directly to the University of Dayton for tabulation and processing. Your
answers will be anonymous. When complete, the results of the survey
will be posted on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org .
If you did not receive a survey or it has been misplaced, you may
request a copy by calling the Administration office at (937) 848-4666.
You will be asked to provide your address for record purposes.
Municipal & Zoning Code Highlights
In an effort to keep residents informed,
certain provisions of the Municipal &
Zoning Codes have been highlighted
below.
Maintenance
With
spring comes new growth!
Please
remember that grass, shrubs and trees
need to be maintained. The Property
Maintenance
Code
requires
that
property owners maintain their home
or business, so there is an unobstructed
view of traffic from all directions.
Low-hanging trees and shrub branches
should not interfere with vehicle or
pedestrian use of sidewalks and/or
streets. Also, adverse property issues
may affect the value of a house or
neighboring houses.
The Municipal
Code says that grass above 8 inches tall
is a violation, and further action by the
City will be taken to make sure the
grass is maintained. If you have any
questions or would like to make a
complaint, contact the Zoning office or
Common Projects &
Permits *
Property
visit the website.
Please
considerate of your neighbors!
be
Signs
During the warm weather,
activity increases for temporary signs
throughout the City. The Bellbrook
Zoning Code outlines the regulations on
these signs. Garage sale, contractor
work and real estate sale signs are only
allowed on the property where the
activity is taking place and for limited
periods. The Code protects the rights
of property owners residing on street
corners to prevent the placement of
these types of signs on private
property. Lead-in signs at intersections
and signs placed on telephone poles or
traffic signs are NOT permitted. Sign
size is limited to 6 square feet per side.
Illegal signs will be confiscated and
owners of the signs may be faced with
a zoning citation and fine. The only
time the Code is relaxed is during the
Community Garage Sale held in May
with the approval of City Council.
Project
Zoning Permit
Building Permit
Fee
Fence
Shed
Addition
Remodeling
Deck
Swimming Pool
Temporary Tent
Sign
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
$25
$10 - $35
Sliding Scale
Sliding Scale
Sliding Scale
$25
$10
$25 - $50
* Please note this is not an exhaustive list of permits.
Permits Warm weather and home
improvement projects are picking up
again. As a reminder, below is a chart
of some projects that require a
property owner to obtain a zoning
permit from the Bellbrook Zoning
Office before construction begins. You
may
visit
our
website
at
www.cityofbellbrook.org to download
an Application for a Zoning Permit.
Submit the completed application and
supporting documentation to the City
of Bellbrook Zoning Office located at 15
E Franklin St, 2nd floor, Bellbrook. Your
request will be reviewed to ensure
compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
The applicable fee will be accepted
once the permit is approved and ready
for pick-up. Once you have received a
zoning permit, if needed, you may
obtain a building permit from Greene
County Building Regulation by calling
(937) 562-7420. Please contact the
Bellbrook Zoning Office at (937) 8488477 with any questions regarding the
permit process.
Comments
200 – 600 sf requires building permit
See fee schedule on website
See fee schedule on website
If attached, building permit required
In-ground & above ground pools
Business districts only
If internally lit, building permit required
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
City Council Updates
2012 Budget Last December, City Council approved the 2012 Annual Budget and the 2012-2016 Capital Improvement
Program. A brief summary of the 2012 budget has been included in this newsletter. The complete budget document can be
found on the City’s website.
Zoning Code The Zoning Code was recently modified after public hearings by both the Planning Board and City Council to
update certain language and adjust the permit fee schedule. The amendments were approved to ensure that the Zoning Code
is current and that the fees reflect the cost of issuing permits and conducting inspections. The full text of the amendments
can be found in Ordinance 2012-2 on the City’s website.
MVRPC Integrated Land Use Vision In January, a representative from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission
presented the “Preferred Future Land Use Scenario of Going Places – An Integrated Land Use Vision for the Miami Valley.”
Following the presentation, City Council passed a resolution endorsing the scenario. For more information, please visit
www.mvrpc.org .
2012 Water Rates City Council decided at their February 13th Council meeting not to increase the water rates charged to
the residents in 2012.
Bond Refunding Following authorization from Council, the City is pursuing the refinancing of bonds originally issued in
1981. The original bonds are set to mature in 2021 and have a fixed interest rate of 5%. With the refinancing, the City
anticipates saving $50,000 over the remaining term of the bonds.
Council Videos The City broadcasts video of council meetings through Bellbrook TV on Time Warner Cable channel 5 and
AT&T U-Verse channel 99. Council meeting videos are also posted on the website for you to watch at your convenience. Visit
our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org and go to the Council page.
The Fire Escape
Spring Flood Safety The term flash flood warning is usually associated with water rushing
through normally dry or low-flow creeks, streams, washes, ravines, or across lower lying ground.
In suburban areas, torrents of water may run off of paved parking areas and travel for miles in
storm drains until reaching a river or stream. This violent rushing of water collects debris and
mud as it pushes across the ground and through the drainage system. Commonly, many
individuals are unaware of the potential force of water. Just six inches of fast-moving floodwater
can knock a person off their feet.
Flash floods occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall. Other causes of flooding
include a dam or levee failure, and the sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods
can move vehicles, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and create new channels.
While flood deaths affect all age groups, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related. Most flash floods are
caused by slow moving thunderstorms, thunderstorms that move repeatedly over the same area, or heavy rains from microbursts. These floods can develop within minutes or hours depending on the intensity and duration of the rain, the topography,
soil conditions and ground cover.
The Bellbrook Fire Department suggests the following safety tips to avoid being caught in a flood:
 Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
 If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low lying areas, storm
drains and detention basins.
 Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams on foot or by
automobile.
 Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways
 Do not park your vehicle along streams and rivers, particularly during threatening conditions.
 Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
For more information visit the Fire Department page at www.cityofbellbrook.org or go to the Bellbrook Fire Department
Facebook page.
Meet Your Fire Department at the Sugar Maple Festival! It wouldn’t be Sugar Maple Festival time without the
Bellbrook Firefighters’ Association’s booth on North Main Street.
Stop by the booth and try a one, two or three alarm Fire Dog or treat your taste buds to a Haz-Mat Dog for the truly brave at
heart. If you’re not ready for the heat of a Fire Dog, don’t worry, we’ll have our famous Gyros and plenty of good old-
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
The Fire Escape Continued…
fashioned hot dogs on the grill.
As always, the fire and emergency medical equipment will be on display during the festival, so make sure to give us a wave as
our trucks pass by during the parade on Saturday. Visiting your Fire Department at the festival will also be an excellent
opportunity to gather information on how you can join our team and support your community.
While you’re at the festival, come to the firefighter’s booth and meet the dedicated men and women of “Your Fire
Department!” We can’t wait to see you!
Open Burning Requirements for Recreational Fires The Bellbrook Fire Department is charged with monitoring
recreational fires in the City. Because of the population and close proximity of residences across the City, we must be mindful
of what and where we are burning materials. Yard waste is prohibited from being burned. For more information about these
requirements, stop by one of the Fire stations, call the Department at (937) 848-3272 or visit our website at
www.cityofbellbrook.org and go to the Fire Department page.
City Website: New Look
The City has redesigned the website with the goal of being more user friendly and
informational. The City tries to include as much information on the website as
possible. On the site, you can find current information about City Council, public
meetings, city services, as well as need-to-know resident and business information.
Look for yourself at www.cityofbellbrook.org .
As a resident of Bellbrook, we value your opinion on how we deliver information to
you. If you have any comments or suggestions for the website, please contact Don
Buczek at don.buczek@cityofbellbrook.org .
Policeman’s Badge
Crime Watch The Bellbrook Police Department has begun a weekly crime report. In
an effort to keep Bellbrook citizens more informed of recent police activities in the City,
the Bellbrook Police Department publishes “Crime Watch” (or CW). CW provides details
of criminal activities occurring in the past week. CW will not include police responses to
traffic enforcement (except DUS/OVI), traffic hazards, citizen assists, animal complaints,
escorts, soliciting complaints, or other service calls. The focus of CW is to provide
information that is valuable to the citizen, in order for the citizen to take preventative
steps in ensuring his/her safety.
Crime Watch is available on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org and go to the Police
Department page.
Waste, Recycling & Yard Waste Disposal
Waste Collection Holidays Please note that trash collection will be delayed one day due
to the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays. Trash collection will take place on
Saturday, June 2nd and Saturday, July 7th for those weeks.
City Recycling Program The City has a bi-weekly recycling program. Special items such as
hazardous waste, electronics, metal appliances and scrap metal are recycled by Greene County
Environmental Services who can be contacted at (937) 562-5925. For more information on the
recycling program, call the Utilities Office at (937) 848-4638.
Bulk Pick-up Large items may be picked up by Allied Waste on Fridays. However, you must
call ahead and schedule with Allied Waste at (937) 268-8110.
Yard Waste The City does not have leaf or yard waste collection service. However, residents
may use the Greene County satellite site located at 2120 Ferry Rd., which is open on Mondays
and Wednesdays beginning April 2nd from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The site accepts leaves, grass
and brush no longer than 4 feet and no more than 4 inches in diameter. Also, leaves may be
bagged and sticks can be bundled to be collected with the weekly trash.
For more information, visit the Utilities page on our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org .
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
Bellbrook Beautification Awards
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.
Ten homes and several businesses are chosen each year to receive the awards. A
home or business may only win an award once every five years.
The committee begins their process in late June and takes several weeks to make
their final decisions. The City is divided into five sections with each section having
two homes selected along with one or two businesses. Properties are voted upon
by committee members and then are presented with a plaque by the City Council
in the fall. They also receive an engraved landscaping stone with the words,
“Bellbrook Beautification Winner.”
For more information, visit our website and go to the Bellbrook Information page.
You can also contact Bronne Wilson, Committee Chair, at (937) 848-3458 or email
her at bronnew@gmail.com .
Hydrant Painting & Maintenance
This past year, the Bellbrook Service Department has painted approximately two-thirds of the fire hydrants in the City. This
coming year, the Service Department will complete the hydrant painting and the Fire Department will be performing routine
maintenance on the hydrants. All of this maintenance will ensure a safe and dependable fire suppression and water supply
system.
Water Rates Remain Steady
The City Council has determined that water service rates will remain the same as 2011. Bellbrook water rates consistently
remain on average for the area.
Residents may see an increase in their sewer bill because Greene County Sanitary Engineering (GCSE) has increased sewer
rates by 3%. If you have questions regarding your sewer bill, please contact GCSE at (937) 562-7457.
Water Quality Report
Holidays
The 2011 Water Quality Report is now
available. The report will be mailed
with the April, May and June quarterly
statements. If you would like more
information,
contact
our
Water
Foreman at (937) 848-8415 or visit the
Utilities page on our website at
www.cityofbellbrook.org .
The City of Bellbrook non-emergency
services will be closed Friday April 6th
in observance of Good Friday, Monday
May 28th in observance of Memorial Day
and Wednesday July 4th in observance
of Independence Day.
Service Department: The Works
The Bellbrook Service Department has
been busy this winter, even without the
normal amount of snow! The reprieve
from snow and ice has saved the City in
labor, salt, fuel and wear on vehicles.
Bellemeade Drive), South West and
North West quadrants of downtown
(West Maple Street, West South Street,
South West Street, North West Street,
High Street and Walnut Street).
The Water Treatment Plant addition is
complete and operating.
The new
capabilities of the treatment plant
allow for a better supply of water to
the system and the ability to increase
capacity in the future.
Report the following issues:
 Potholes in the roadway
 Street lights that are out
 Stormwater drainage issues in
the street
You can report the above issues to the
Service Department by calling them at
(937) 848-8415.
The following streets are being
considered for paving in 2012: South
Lakeman Drive (from Franklin Street to
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
New Fire Department Medic
The Bellbrook Fire Department put a new medic unit into service at
the end of 2011. The new medic has a different look than the other
Fire Department vehicles. The Department decided to go with a more
traditional look with the red striping.
After 18 years of service, the Fire Department auctioned a 1993 medic
to make room for the new medic. The Fire Department has two
medics in service to be able to respond to multiple calls at one time.
Greene County Recycling Special Collections
One Saturday each month, Greene
County Environmental Services holds a
special collection for recyclables that
are not picked up by Allied Waste.
Below is a list of accepted items.
Please note this is not an exhaustive
list. If you have any questions, please
contact Environmental Services.

Household Hazardous Waste
o Liquids for garden use
o Fuel up to 5 gallons
o Cleaners
o Spray cans, stain, paint thinner
o Fluorescent bulbs
o Not Accepted: paint or motor
oil – dried paint can be
disposed with regular trash
collection and motor oil can be
recycled at various automotive
garages


Household Electronics
o DVD/VHS players/stereo
equipment
o Fax/Copy machines
o Cell phones/telephones
o Household and vehicle
batteries
o Not Accepted: televisions,
computers and computer
accessories – these items can
be disposed at electronics and
office supply stores - fees may
apply
Metal Appliances and Scrap Metal
o Appliances with Freon
WANTED: Your Pictures for the Website!
We want to give you an opportunity to include your
favorite pictures of Bellbrook on our website.
The
pictures can be of your neighborhood, your backyard, the
local parks, streetscapes, festivals, block parties, our
downtown or other subjects you feel represent our City.
If you are interested in sharing your pictures with the City
and your community, please contact Don Buczek at (937)
848-4666 or email don.buczek@cityofbellbrook.org .
o
o
o
Large kitchen appliances
Lawn mowers and grills
Scrap metal
Dates for special collections:
 Saturday April 14th
 Saturday May 12th
 Saturday June 9th
 Saturday July 14th
Contact information:
Greene County Environmental Services
2145 Greene Way Blvd
Xenia OH 45385
(937) 562-5925
www.co.greene.oh.us
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
City News
2012 Financial Overview
In December 2011, the Bellbrook City Council adopted
the 2012 Annual Budget and 2012-2016 Capital
Improvement Program. Included on this page are a few
charts that summarize the approved budget.
2012 Revenue by Source
Intergovernmental
16%
Property Tax
43%
The City’s total expense budget for 2012 is $6.9
million. These expenses are paid using a combination
of fund balance carry over ($4.0 million) and 2012
revenue ($6.9 million).
The City’s largest revenue source is property tax at
$2.5 million, or 43% of total revenue. The second
largest source is charges for services, which include
Water, Waste and EMS charges. This accounts for $2.1
million, or 35% of total revenue. The final significant
source of revenue is intergovernmental, which includes
estate taxes, homestead and rollback reimbursements,
local government funds, gasoline taxes, permissive
taxes, and motor vehicle registrations. This accounts
for $0.9 million, or 15% of total revenue.
Grants
3%
Other Revenue
1%
Fines/Fees/
Permits 2%
2012 Expense Budget Breakdown
Fringe Benefits
16%
Purchased
Services
19%
Materials &
Supplies
4%
Other Expenses
1%
Salaries &
Wages
46%
Debt Service
3%
Capital Outlay
11%
2012 Budget Breakdown by Function
Fire
19%
Water
22%
Street
13%
Police
28%
Administrative
10%
Waste
8%
Charges for
Services
35%
The $6.9 million expense budget can be viewed from
different perspectives.
In the Expense Budget
Breakdown chart, it is shown that 62% of the City’s
total expenses are for wages and benefits.
This
includes paying the firefighters, police officers and
service employees that work for the City. In addition,
11% of the expenses are used for capital outlay
including street projects, water system projects and
vehicles and equipment for the Police, Fire and Service
Departments.
From a different perspective, the budget can be
viewed in the Expense Budget Breakdown by Function
chart. This chart shows that the Police Department
accounts for 28% of the total expenses, the Fire
Department accounts for 19% of the total expenses and
the Water Department accounts for 22% of the total
expenses.
The complete 2012 Annual Budget and 2012-2016
Capital Improvement Program is available by calling
(937) 848-4666 or visit the Finance page on our website
at www.cityofbellbrook.org .
April 2012
City of Bellbrook Community Report
Environmental News
Hydromodification
WHAT IS HYDROMODIFICATION?
 Changes to natural stream beds and banks
 Building of dams
 Destruction of natural floodplains
 Increased building within a watershed
WHEN THIS OCCURS:
 Excess water flows quickly to and through streams resulting in
stream bank erosion
 Stream bank erosion destroys grass and trees
 Increased velocity of water can wash fertilizers and pesticides from
adjoining land into the stream, causing polluted water
 Increased water temperature from higher water velocity and
pollution results in the destruction of fish and natural organisms
 Water pollution is a health hazard
SOLUTIONS:
 Keep stream banks natural and vegetated
 Use less fertilizer
 Remove trash and debris from streams
 A small rain garden allows rainwater to infiltrate into the ground
 Rain barrels collect rainwater for re-use in gardening
Streams
A HEALTHY STREAM…
1. Is a meandering, winding, “S”
shaped curve across the land.
2. Has open access to a floodplain.
3. Has a grassy or treed “buffer zone”
along the stream bank.
When these natural curves in streams
are eliminated and the stream channel
is narrowed into a straight line, called
HYDROMODIFICATION, the effects are
very dramatic.
A HYDROMODIFIED STREAM…
1. Increases the velocity or speed that
the stream travels.
2. Significantly increases stream bank
erosion.
3. Streams confined in a channel can
no longer spill over into the
floodplain to reduce velocity or
speed, so downstream neighbors
are at a greater risk of flooding.




DO keep a grassy or treed buffer
along your back yard stream
DO add woody shrubs in your buffer
DO clean up trash along or in your
local streams
DO NOT change the course of any
stream!
Re-printed with permission, Cuyahoga Soil &
Water Conservation District.
Storm Drain Dumping & Stream Pollution
Report a suspected illegal discharge. To report an illegal discharge, call the Bellbrook
Service Department at (937) 848-8415 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. After hours,
call (937) 848-8484. Storm drains are designed to handle stormwater runoff only and do not
provide treatment to water or other substances that enter the system. The Bellbrook Service
Department manages the storm drain system in the city. Public education and participation in
reporting sightings or evidence of suspicious substances being dumped down storm drains or
directly into our local creeks is an important part in preventing water pollution. Odors,
unnatural colors or dead fish are signs that something harmful has entered the water.
As part of our Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program, we ask citizens who
suspect that they have witnessed illegal dumping into a storm drain or water pollution to contact
the Bellbrook Service Department at the numbers above. If you are not sure whether an illegal
discharge has occurred, please report it and we will determine whether action is required to
protect the water supply and/or the environment.
KEEP CREEKS CLEAN AND STORM DRAINS CLEAR
City of Bellbrook Community Report
CITY OF BELLBROOK
15 E FRANKLIN ST
BELLBROOK OH 45305
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
DAYTON OH
PERMIT NO 41
City of Bellbrook Community Report
Articles of Interest

Departments
Administration ........(937) 848-4666
Clerk of Council ......(937) 848-4321
Zoning .................(937) 848-8477
Police ..................(937) 848-8484
Fire .....................(937) 848-3272
Service .................(937) 848-8415
Utility Billing..........(937) 848-4638
34 Annual Sugar Maple
Festival Activities
Information regarding activities to
do and things to see at the festival
City of Bellbrook
15 E Franklin St
Bellbrook OH 45305
th

Community News
Information on community events
happening this spring


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 PM.
For more information about City
Council, past meetings and current
issues, call the Clerk of Council at (937)
848-4321 or visit the Council page on
our website at www.cityofbellbrook.org
City News
Information on what is happening
at the City and services that we
provide our residents
We’re on the Web!
www.cityofbellbrook.org
City Council
o
Message from the Mayor
o
City Council Updates
o
The Fire Escape
o
The Policeman’s Badge
o
The Works
Environmental News
Council Members
Bob Baird, Mayor
Mike Schweller, Deputy Mayor
Denny Bennett
Jon Martin
Elaine Middlestetter
Joe Ritzel
Dona Seger-Lawson