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Village of Greenfield seeks bids
for lease of agricultural land Bid opening set for 1:00 p.m. June 26 LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Greenfield is accepting sealed bids for lease of ± 175 acres of agricultural land located in the Village’s Industrial Park commonly known as Greenfield farm 6685, tract 9589. This lease is on cash rent basis only for farming/agricultural purpose, commencing no later than 1/1/2021 and will expire on 12/31/2023, unless otherwise terminated. Additional details are available at the City Manager’s office (937) 981-3500. All bids must be sealed and marked on the outside envelope as “Cash Rent – Industrial Park” and are to be delivered to the Greenfield City Manager’s office, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 by 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 26, 2020, at which time they will be opened. The successful bidder, if any, shall be notified as soon thereafter as is convenient. The Village reserves the right to waive any minor defects in the bids and reserves the right to reject any and all bids. This publication is posted per R.C. 721.01, R.C. 721.03, and R.C. 7.16 on the following web sites: www.greenfieldohio.net and www.timesgazette.com. Advertisement is made available by Village of Greenfield, Roberta Karnes, Clerk of Council, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 (937) 981-3500, rkarnes@greenfieldohio.net LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Greenfield is accepting sealed bids for lease of ± 11 acres of agricultural land located in Ross County, Rapid Forge Road (Thrifton area) commonly known as Greenfield farm 4409, tract 7867. This lease is on cash rent basis only for farming/agricultural purpose, commencing no later than 1/1/2021 and will expire on 12/31/2023, unless otherwise terminated. Additional details are available at the City Manager’s office (937) 981-3500. All bids must be sealed and marked on the outside envelope as “Cash Rent – Ross County” and are to be delivered to the Greenfield City Manager’s office, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 by 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 26, 2020, at which time they will be opened. The successful bidder, if any, shall be notified as soon thereafter as is convenient. The Village reserves the right to waive any minor defects in the bids and reserves the right to reject any and all bids. This publication is posted per R.C. 721.01, R.C. 721.03, and R.C. 7.16 on the following web sites: www.greenfieldohio.net and www.timesgazette.com. Advertisement is made available by Village of Greenfield, Roberta Karnes, Clerk of Council, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 (937) 981-3500, rkarnes@greenfieldohio.net. PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Greenfield is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Secretary/Assistant. Applicant must be at least eighteen years of age and must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Application and a full description of the position are available at the Office of the City Manager, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123. In staying with the OCVID19 guidelines the office is closed to the public but packets can be found at the information table 3rd floor city hall, or you may find them online at the Village of Greenfield website, www.greenfieldohio.net or on Facebook. Application shall be returned no later than Thursday, June 4, 2020 by 4:00 p.m. The Village of Greenfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Click HERE for Administrative Secretary/Assistant job description. It's one step at a time for upgrades in Greenfield, but improvements are adding up
By Angela Shepherd Village of Greenfield The Greenfield administration, local boards and regular citizens have for time been taking steps to improve the village in every way — through economic development, fostering active boards and council committees, and cleaning up blighted properties. At a recent village council meeting resident Steve Fligor spoke to council about a number of things, which included remarks on improvements in several areas across the village. But he also spoke about Greenfield being in danger of losing its own, unique culture. “We have to have active boards, active committees, and this includes council committees,” Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin said. “If we on the third floor dictate all that happens, there’s a good chance that culture will be lost.” There are several committees comprised of council members — finance; parks and properties; economic development; ordinance; and health, safety, and welfare — and when those committees hold a meeting, they are public. When meetings are upcoming, they are to be posted, and the public is encouraged to attend. “This goes back to active committees and boards with public input and the infusion of public opinion,” Wilkin said. One of the local boards working toward Greenfield’s betterment is the CIC (Community Improvement Corporation). It was established in 1963 and is the oldest in Highland County. It has the ability to acquire, sell, and fix properties — things that are beyond the village itself to do. “The CIC has so much authority and ability to change our community,” Wilkin has said. “It has the ability to become the positive change agent we need.” While the board for years has largely been inactive, that has changed in the last year or so with the village’s improvement endeavors. Lanny Bryant, chairman of Greenfield’s CIC board, said, “I don’t want us to be a do-nothing board, and we are not a do-nothing board.” When properties go through a CIC, the board is able to acquire a loan, make improvements, and sell the property at market value, whereas the village can only sell through auction. Bryant said when the CIC sells a property, that money will be used to further the efforts of cleaning up Greenfield. According to Bryant, when selling a property the CIC can place specific stipulations on that property that the buyer must adhere to. An example of a stipulation is that a property must be cleaned up and made liveable within a certain period of time. “It’s hard to bring people into the village from the outside,” Bryant said, when there is so much needing done with blighted properties. “If there’s a way we can change that, make it better, that’s what we are working to do.” “To see our community looking better all around is a tall order, but we will keep plowing away at it,” Bryant added. “We’ve got a great board and a cooperative council.” Recently, at property at 719 Spring St. that the CIC has handled, was sold. The property was vacant and a blight and was acquired through code enforcement. The new owner plans to renovate the home. Three other properties — 425 Olive St., 311 North St., and 769 Spring St. — are currently in receivership with the CIC. Another endeavor has been to promote Greenfield’s CRA (Community Reinvestment Area). The pre-1994 CRA means that the tax-abatement on a property in the program is 100-percent and for 15 years versus a CRA formed after 1994 where the tax abatement and length of abatement are negotiable. The CRA program must be applied for, and anyone interested in learning more can contact the village offices by calling 937-981-3500. A brochure is also available on Greenfield’s website at greenfieldohio.net. “The CRA is a great tool for a citizen of Greenfield or for a business here or a business looking to locate here,” Wilkin said. There are 330 buildings in the village that are in a state of disrepair and neglect, Wilkin said. “That’s 330 opportunities for improvement. The CRA provides a necessary tool to affect a necessary change and invest in those properties.” Wilkin’s focus is on Greenfield. But the city manager is also keeping in view what is happening in the region. He recently met with Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha, because fostering good relationships and partnerships with other places in the area means working together toward goals that will benefit the region, he said. As an example, if a new industry came to Greenfield’s industrial park, bringing with it jobs, that would not just be a benefit to Greenfield, but to the surrounding area as folks from outside Greenfield would likely work there, too. And that also goes the other way. If a new industry came to Leesburg’s industrial park or to Hillsboro, there would likely be Greenfield folks seeking employment in those places. Bryant echoed WIlkin’s point. He said he would like to see communities working together. “Everybody benefits,” he said. “We can all thrive if we work together.” Something else the village has been working on toward redevelopment efforts are its outdated zoning codes. Last year, two different committees were created, both made up of residents and business owners in the community. Each group met separately with OHM Advisors, a community advancement firm out of Columbus, to review current codes and discuss ways the zoning needed to change. The firm took all the information and has drafted new zoning codes, which are currently under review by the residents and business owners who provided input in the meetings with OHM. The next step is council review and public input. The updated codes will be available to the public once it is in its final form. They will be made available through Facebook, the village’s website, and physical copies that will be available at the City Building. Greenfield news and information is always available for viewing on the village website —greenfieldohio.net — and on the village Facebook page. Residents are always welcome to stop in the city offices on the third floor of the City Building, or call at 937-981-3500. Greenfield in the news
Greenfield Village Council Chairman Phil Clyburn signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 22-29 as FFA Week in recognition of the contributions that the Future Farmers of America make toward developing leaders and successful agribusiness men and women. Phil Clyburn and Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin are pictured with McClain High School FFA officers. Clyburn noted that agriculture is a vital part of the Greenfield community, and Greenfield Village Council and staff members are happy to join in observing FFA Week.
Visitor information available in city building:
Display racks have been put up in the lobby of the city building and contain brochures about some of the attractions to be found in and around Greenfield. The display is located near the stairs and the Water & Sewer Drop Box. Thanks to the Visitors Bureau of Highland County for providing this resource to help visitors learn more about our community. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAUDED IN GREENFIELD
A GREAT WEEK FOR HIGHLAND COUNTY GREENFIELD RAIL LINE FEATURED ON AL JAZEERA With a headline “The little town that could: Short rail line in Ohio shows the way” Greenfield finds itself in the spotlight as an Editor’s Pick story on the Al Jazeera America website. Journalist Kevin Williams of Middletown wrote the piece after interviewing Greenfield leaders past and present including David T. Daniels, Betty Bishop and Ron Coffey to unfold the story of how Greenfield came to own a short line railroad in the first place, and what it means to our region. You can read it by clicking HERE. Emergency siren information
The Village of Greenfield finalized the installation of its tornado siren on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 with successful diagnostic testing, and the siren has been used to alert citizens of severe weather in the area. The official policy of the Village of Greenfield for use and testing of the siren is provided below: The Village of Greenfield will activate the outdoor warning siren when any of the following severe weather conditions exists: The National Weather Service issues a TORNADO WARNING, OR a trained spotter or public safety official reports a tornado: In Highland, Ross, or Fayette Counties; AND the tornado path includes the Village of Greenfield. Or the National Weather Service reports a storm system producing wind speeds of 75 MPH or greater, AND the storm path includes the Village of Greenfield. Storm Siren Audible Testing - Storm siren will be audibly tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 1000 hrs. (10:00 a.m.). - The monthly audible siren test will last for one minute. Audible Testing will NOT take place: - During times when thunderstorms are predicted in the area, or are actually in the area - During freezing weather conditions - If the siren is not audibly tested due to either of the above situations, the siren will be audibly tested at the next regularly scheduled date and time. There will be no "make-up" audible test. - Siren repair - audible testing will only occur following a minimal time period needed to notify the media and public that a siren will be audibly tested. This is usually 24 hours' notice. Siren Activation to Warn of an Actual Severe Weather Event - The siren sounds a steady tone for three minutes. - The sounding of the siren means "Move Inside Immediately and Seek Cover!" - Each siren activation indicates a tornado/high speed wind event is approaching the City. - Greenfield does not sound an all-clear siren. Please listen to your NOAA Weather Radio or other info source. Second Soundings Siren will be sounded again under the following conditions: - The Tornado warning is extended or re-issued - A tornado is confirmed or spotted "on the ground" in the area - The National Weather Service issues a "Tornado Emergency" for this area. PUCO offers information on energy choices With a number of legislative changes in the electric utility industry in Ohio over the past 14 years, the PUCO recognizes the need to educate consumers on the retail competition of utility services. With this recognition the PUCO created the Office of Retail Competition (ORC) in July of 2012. The mission of the Office of Retail Competition is to improve awareness, trust and understanding of market-based utility service in Ohio. For more information about energy choice, visit the PUCO’s website at www.energychoice.ohio.gov. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Electric Aggregation FAQs: Please click HERE for frequently asked questions about Greenfield's electric aggregation program. |
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
The Village of Greenfield requires all contractors, subcontractors, landscapers, tree trimmers, etc. to register with the Building Department (Codified Ordinance 1324.05). For 2020 the registration fee is $50; they also must provide proof of insurance, Workers Comp, and a $10,000 bond payable to the Village of Greenfield. This must be done before any work begins. For the convenience of contractors, the registration form is available by clicking on the heading below for a pdf version of the document: CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION FORM Completed registration forms and registration fee can be dropped off or mailed to the city building: Village of Greenfield, 300 Jefferson St., Third Floor, Greenfield, Ohio 45123. If questions, contact Holly Ellinger at 937-981-3500. If desired, materials may be faxed to 937-981-7242 or scanned and emailed to: hellinger@greenfieldohio.net Registration will not be considered complete until all required materials and payment are received. BUILDING PERMIT INQUIRIES Contact the Village of Greenfield offices at 937-981-3500 for information on building permits. CODIFIED ORDINANCES AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Village of Greenfield’s codified ordinance code is available online at the link below: GREENFIELD ORDINANCES Ohio Revised Code information is available at the link below: OHIO REVISED CODE FORECLOSURE REGISTRATION APPLICATION INFO Per Section 1325.02 of the Village of Greenfield Codified Ordinances, "Any person who files, or causes to be filed, a complaint for foreclosure involving real property located within the City of Greenfield on which there is a building or structure shall notify the City of the filing of the foreclosure complaint and shall file a complete copy of the foreclosure complaint with the City Manager within ten (10) days after the filing of that complaint with the relevant court. (Ord. 14-10. Passed 9-21-10.)" There is a $60 fee for said registration application, a copy of which can be opened and printed out by clicking on the link below: FORECLOSURE REGISTRATION FORM PUBLIC NOTICE
The Village of Greenfield is now accepting applications for a police patrol officer and auxiliary patrol officer. To be eligible for the positions applicants must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have a valid OPOTC Basic Peace Officer certificate, and a valid Ohio driver’s license. Candidates for the position must be able to pass a physical and psychological exam, physical agility test, polygraph exam, drug testing, and an extensive background check. Applicants with serious misdemeanor, domestic violence, or felony convictions will not be considered for the position. Applications may be obtained at the office of the City Manager, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123. Applications must be returned no later than 4:30 P.M., Friday, January 31, 2020. The Village of Greenfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NOTICE RE: COUNCIL MEETING DATES
Please be advised, Greenfield Village Council passed legislation at its regular meeting April 4, 2018 and adopted the Village Council Rules which included a change in the regular meeting day of the week. Below is an insert from the Rules: 1. Meetings (a) Regular – Council shall meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the Council Chambers, City Hall, beginning in May 2018. Whenever any regular meeting of Council falls on a holiday Council shall meet in session on the following Tuesday. A schedule of regular council meetings will be posted on the first floor bulletin board in the Greenfield City Building. (b) Special Meetings – The Chairman or any two Members of Council may upon written request to the clerk call a Special Meeting upon at least Twenty Four (24) hours of notice to each Member, served personally or left at his usual place of residence, have advance notification to all media that have requested such notification, as well as to people who have specifically requested such notice, (these people will need to supply a self-addressed stamped envelopes to receive such notice), of time, place and purpose of the special meeting, (R.C. 705.53) and post Special Meeting notice on the first floor bulletin board in the Greenfield City Building. (c) Emergency Meetings – The Chairman or any two Members of Council may upon written request to the clerk call an Emergency Meeting. Rather than Twenty Four (24) hour advance written notice, written notice must be given immediately to each Council Member. Such notice shall be delivered personally or left at his/her residence. The Clerk shall provide written notice to all media outlets that have requested such notification. The written notice must contain a specific statement of the meetings purpose, and Council may discuss only those specified issues at the Emergency Meeting. (d) All meetings of Council shall be open to the public except as otherwise provided by law. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate getting back with me. Thank you, Roberta Karnes Clerk of Council To view the legislation, click HERE. Complaints about inappropriate sales practices
can be reported to Public Utilities Commission From time to time, salespeople claiming to represent utility companies have been reported going door to door offering special rates to local electric or natural gas customers. “While many of these sales pitches may be truthful and accurate, occasionally we hear reports of salespeople claiming that the Village of Greenfield’s aggregation rates are changing, or that their companies can provide lower costs,” said former City Manager Ron Coffey. “We urge residents to use caution in signing up for plans that they don’t understand. There are many vendors offering to supply electricity and natural gas, and it is easy to become confused about the cost per kilowatt hour of electricity or CCF of natural gas.” Coffey said he would like to set the record straight on Greenfield’s aggregated rates. “For the record, Greenfield’s electric aggregation rate is $.0535 per kWh through FirstEnergy Solutions until May 2020, and the opt-in natural gas rate is $.0415 per Ccf through Volunteer Energy Services through September 2019. Anyone needing more information can contact our office at 981-3500. There are other legitimate offers out there, but before deciding, it’s a good idea to compare offers at the website http://www.energychoice.ohio.gov maintained by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.” For those who have complaints about door-to-door solicitors making untrue statements or exhibiting inappropriate sales behavior, such complaints can be reported to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) at: http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/index.cfm/contact-us/contact-us-form/?intype=complaint Complaints may also be logged by calling the PUCO consumer complaint line at 800-686-7826. Automatic debit payments help local residents pay water/sewer bills For your convenience in paying water/sewer bills, an automatic debit payment service is available from the Village of Greenfield. With automatic debit payment you will:
Customers who use automatic debit payments will still receive a bill at the first of the month so they will know what will be debited from their account on the tenth of each month. Payments can be debited from checking or savings accounts. If you are interested in taking advantage of this service, please pick up an authorization agreement in our office, located on the third floor of the city building, 300 Jefferson St., Greenfield, Ohio. If you have questions, stop in or call 937-981-2082. The Water Office also accepts credit and debit cards for those wishing to pay their water and sewer bills. IMPORTANT NOTICES
REGARDING BACKFLOW PREVENTION BACKFLOW/CROSS CONNECTION INFORMATION POLICIES RE: CROSS CONNECTION & BACKFLOW PREVENTION REPORT STREET LIGHT OUTAGES Miami Valley Lighting is the company that keeps Greenfield street lights operating. However, if you see a light that is not working properly, you can notify the company directly by phone or Internet. There is a toll-free number on their website, 888-316-2393, and there is a web login for outage reporting on their website, https://lightingsimplified.com/ Natural gas aggregation program extended Greenfield's "opt-in" natural gas aggregation program with Volunteer Energy Services has been extended and now will continue through September 2019, according to City Manager Ron Coffey. The program originally began in April 2014, and residents must opt-in to receive the savings available through aggregation. Key elements of the extended agreement are: 1. Term: October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019. Customers that join the aggregation program and then leave during the term of this service period will not be charged a termination fee. 2. Volunteer Energy will deliver natural gas at a fixed price of $0.415 per Ccf for the term of October 2017 through September 2019 (24 months). 3. In all other respects, the parties have affirmed the terms and conditions of the Governmental Aggregation Program Agreement. Anyone interested in signing up for the Natural Gas Aggregation Program must opt in, and can do so by calling Volunteer Energy at 1-800-977-8374. Electric Aggregation FAQs: Please click HERE for frequently asked questions about Greenfield's electric aggregation program. PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Greenfield Financial Statement for year ending December 31, 2017 is available for public review at the Finance Department, City Hall, 300 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio. PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Greenfield authorizes, by internet auction, the sale of municipally owned personal property which is not needed for public use, or which is obsolete or unfit for the use for which it was acquired. All internet auction sales shall be conducted under the authority and direction of the City Manager or his designee(s). All internet auction sales shall be conducted by GovDeals.com internet auction service, 5907 Carmichael Place, Montgomery, AL 36117, phone (800) 613-0156. All internet auction sales shall be conducted pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated and in effect for GovDeals.com. For each internet auction sale, bidding shall remain open for not less than ten (10) days, including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. 
Thousands of surplus municipal items
listed for sale at www.GovDeals.com From time to time the village of Greenfield offers surplus property for sale at online auctions via the website www.GovDeals.com. This website specializes in the sale of government surplus property, and thousands of items are featured from municipalities around the country and include a wide variety of items including doors, windows, automobiles and even houses! Even when no Greenfield auctions are scheduled, it is still quite interesting to visit GovDeals.com and see what is available from other communities. Visitors to the website can also click the link below to see anything that is being sold by the village of Greenfield: www.govdeals.com/greenfieldvillageohio Greenfield Cemetery Rules
1. Speed Limit – 10 M.P.H. 2. All Vehicles Must Be Operated Or Parked On Driveways 3. Cemetery Grounds Are CLOSED During The Hours Of Darkness 4. No Funerals On Sundays Or Holidays 5. No Turf May Be Removed 6. No Planting Of Shrubs, Trees Or Flowers Will Be Allowed On Cemetery Lots Unless Prior Arrangements Are Made With The City Manager Or His/Her Designee 7. No Fence, Hedges, Enclosures Or Curbing Of Any Kind Will Be Allowed On Cemetery Lots 8. Debris, Rubbish Or Waste Materials From Cemetery Lots ONLY Shall Be Deposited In Receptacles 9. All Decorations Will Be Removed When They Become Unsightly 10. Potted Plants For Each Occupied Lot Must be Removed 10 Days After Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day And Memorial Day 11. All Winter Decorations Must Be Removed By April 1st 12. All Summer Decorations Must Be Removed By September 1st 13. All Grave Markers Must Be Of A Permanent Nature 14. All Pets Must Be On A Leash And Cleaned Up After, Violators May Be Prosecuted 15. The City Manager Or His/Her Designee Shall Be In Charge Of Cemetery Grounds And Buildings And Shall At All Times Have Supervision And Control Of All Persons In The Cemetery Including The Conduct Of Funerals, Traffic, Employees, Plot Owners And Visitors The City Manager May Be Reached At 937-981-3500 
COUNTY COURT ACCEPTING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
The Highland County Court in Greenfield is now accepting credit card payments as a convenience to the public. Traffic tickets and minor misdemeanor citations can be paid online by visiting www.greenfieldohtickets.com and entering the required information, including the ticket number or citation number, so that the money is applied to the proper case. If there are questions about the amount due, of if someone wishes to make a payment on older cases, the clerk’s office can be contacted at 937-981-2139. The court has a waiver schedule for many traffic offenses and most minor misdemeanors, and a call to the clerk’s office is the easiest way to confirm the waiver amount. If the full amount is not paid, a guilty waiver cannot be accepted and the Defendant is to appear in court. In order for payments to be applied to older cases, the Defendant needs to provide identifying information so that the money is applied to the proper person and case(s). There is also an 800 number that allows credit card payments to be made by phone: 1-800-701-8560. Many courts around the country use the nCourt system. There is no cost to the courts using the system; the person making the payment is charged a convenience fee. |
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