Plowing Streets of Springfield Township...

With budget cuts facing the Township, one of the services likely affected is snow removal. Did you know that every time the road crews are called out to salt and plow the roads, it costs the Township on *average $3,057 per hour in salt, gas and labor. (*average based on 2010 snow runs. See statistics at http://www.springfieldtwp.org/snowandice.cfm ) For reference, last year the Township spent $181,514.00 in salt to keep our neighborhood roads clear.
In most cases, the Township Service Department calls for all trucks to be on the roads with the onset of ice or snow causing slippery conditions. Ten drivers are sent out to cover over 92 lane miles of residential roads. While the Township services neighborhood streets, Hamilton County services the "county roads" in the township such as Winton, Galbraith and North Bend. (*With a few exceptions, most roads with a double yellow line in the Township are considered county roads and are served by Hamilton County.)
Keeping the roads clear comes at a price and you as a resident pay for that maintenance expense. Our question now goes out to the community - How important are clear neighborhood roads to you? What is your tolerance level when it come to driving in small amounts of snow on flat, straight intersections of the roadway? Keeping safety in mind, there would never be a compromise in icy conditions, however, is clearing roads necessary for 1/2 inch of snow? Comment by e-mail at residentspeak@springfieldtwp.org

* Springfield Township partners with other entities to purchase salt in a bulk rate. In years past, we have coordinated salt purchases with the City of Cincinnati or with Hamilton County. This year the Township Service Department collaborated with the Ohio Department of Transportation on salt purchasing to get a price of $60.74 per ton for salt.

Meeting Notes 11/19/11

View Place Civic Association (VPCA)


Meeting of the Membership and Board- 11/19/11

2:00 pm – Gracepoint Church, View Place Drive

Meeting Minutes



Presentation of Issues before the membership:



Donna Saul, President, VPCA

Jeff Dean – Treasurer and Past President, VPCA

Jim Golan, Finneytown Civic Association (FCA)

Dick Meyer, FCA



Attendees – see attached sign-in sheet



Background:



Jeff Dean presented the issues and the proposal before the membership to have the VPCA join with the FCA. The View Place Civic Association has been struggling over the past few years with keeping a sufficient number of board members, with keeping up with having regular board meetings, approving expenditures (board approval needed) and with the business end of running a civic association in general. Donna Saul has handed in her resignation as President effective today. By contrast, the FCA has a robust set of operating rules, steady board participation, and a larger membership.



At the same time, Donna Saul has been maintaining a very effective and popular blog site for View Place residents to air concerns, share positive stories, and stay in communication. Donna has also been ensuring that the flower boxes are maintained, the Easter Egg hunt is conducted, and that View Place area residents have the 4th of July parade with the ST Police and Fire Department. The View Place neighborhood remains a vital and connected community.



Jeff Dean has continued to work on land use issues such as preventing the cell tower lights from becoming a nuisance, ensuring that clear-cutting and land filling activities comply with environmental regulations, and participating in the Township land use planning committees. He has also recently joined the FCA and has begun to share his interest in these types of issues with them, and vice versa.



The Proposal before the membership:



Given the above, it was proposed by the VPCA board that the VPCA dissolve as an official civic association by joining with FCA. The funds in the VPCA treasury (approximately $998) would be transferred to the FCA, but all of the funds would be earmarked for VPCA activities only, such as the flower boxes and Easter egg hunt. The FCA would assist View Place residents with civic issues with the strength of organization and a larger membership. When the VPCA funds run out, FCA funds could be used for View Place residents, but would need to be prioritized along with all other FCA needs. The View Place area would retain a strong identity as a separate neighborhood with its unique needs. It was acknowledged that there was still some work to be done to finalize the details, but that a vote in favor of the proposal would essentially move the proposal forward and move the funds.



Of the members in attendance (see attached sign-in), the vote was in favor of the proposal with 23 yeah and 1 abstention.


Ken Carrillo
Rhonda Closson
Allan Beach
Lyn Dean
Sylvia Mersfelder
Robert Mersfelder
Fran Wooledge
Louis Lessure
David Stephens
Rex Van Alstine
Duane Lewis
Karen Hug
Sheila & David Helliwell
Terri Chad
Donna & Fred Lippencott
Bob and Carol Schuber
Howard Bost
Donna Saul
Jeff Dean
Roger & Jeanne Fleckenstein

Also in attendance:
Jim Golan (FCA)
Dick Meyer (FCA)

Neighborhood Meeting

It was a pretty decent turnout for our neighborhood meeting at Gracepoint Church. In attendance from Finneytown Civic Association was Jim Golan and Dick Meyer letting us know that we were in good hands. Jeff Dean presided and gave his treasurer's report. He will write the final check from the View Place bank account as soon as he gets the last statement.  A big thanks goes out to Jeff for keeping tabs on the banks and the fees they were charging our neighborhood account. Not only did Jeff get them to waive the fees, he asked them for more time.  He saved us considerable money that would have been swallowed up in fees by asking the bank for more time to settle our accounts.



Like many other banks, Key Bank was charging monthly fees because our account was considered inactive even though we deposited membership which flowed  infrequently.  The only checks he wrote were for reimbursement for the flowers and neighborhood activities.

Jeff reported we  had $1,013.00 in the account since August, and rather than losing $60 plus  in annual fees, we thought it was good idea to merge into the Finneytown Civic Association where they have free checking. It's an efficient use of our time and very good way to pool our resources. FCA assured us that they will keep aside our money for the upkeep of the flowers.

We will continue to keep our View Place designation as a neighborhood like they do with Hollyhock Farms. We'll also continue the traditions of the parade, egg hunt, directory, and weblog. I'll try to keep everyone connected through the email and copy everything to Jim Golan.

In the meantime, visit the Finneytown Civic Association webpage and send in your membership. They do a lot of work in the community and will represent our concerns even better then when we had VPCA. I did mention the issues and concerns that were currently on the slate:

1) Concerns we had about being blocked in from St. X traffic and the high volume of traffic accidents

2) Current petition for sewers

One thing we're hearing is "rumors" about the church building a recreation center or gym on their property. Our relationship with the church has been very good so we know that the neighbors impacted by any plans will be involved in the planning stage.

View Place Neighborhood Meeting

It was a pretty decent turnout for our neighborhood meeting at Gracepoint Church.  In attendance from Finneytown Civic Association was Jim Golan and Dick Meyer letting us know that we were in good hands.  Jeff Dean presided and gave his treasurer's report.  He will write the final check from the View Place bank account as soon as he gets the last statement. 

Like many other banks, Key Bank was charging monthly fees because our account was consired inactive because  although we deposited the membership dues which flowed in infrequently, we only write a one or two checks a year to reimburse for the flowers and neighborhood activities.

Jeff has spent the last year calling up the bank each month asking them to waive the fee.  A big thank you goes out to Jeff Dean for being such a good steward of our neighbhorhood money. He saved us considerable money that would have been swallowed up in fees by asking the bank for more time to settle our accounts. 

We have over $1,300 in the account and rather than losing $60 in annual fees, we thought it was  good idea to merge into the Finneytown Civic Association where they have free checking. It's an efficient use of our time and very good way to pool our resources.  FCA assured us that they will keep aside our money for the upkeep of the flowers.

We will continue to keep our View Place designation as a neighborhood like Hollyhock Farms. We'll also continue the traditions of the parade, egg hunt, directory, and weblog. I'll try to keep everyone connected through the email and copy everything to Jim Golan.

In the meantime, visit the Finneytown Civic Association webpage and send in your membership. They do a lot of work in the community and will represent our concerns even better then when we had VPCA.  I did mention the issues and concerns that were currently on the slate:

1)  Concerns we had about being blocked in from St. X traffic and the high volume of traffic accidents

2) Current petition for sewers

One thing we're hearing is "rumors" about the church building a recreation center or gym on their property. Our relationship with the church has been very good so we know that the neighbors impacted by any plans  will be involved in the planning stage. 

Community Programming Sought – Looking for Instructors For Fall & Winter Classes

In the interest of providing quality and fulfilling enrichment activities, the Springfield Township Senior and Community Center is currently looking for instructors for fall and winter recreation programs. These community programs would take place in the Senior/Community Center during the daytime for senior adults and weekday evenings for all ages.



The Township is currently accepting proposals for their upcoming programming series which runs from September 1, 2011 through February 28th, 2012. Individuals or groups may submit any programming opportunity oriented around the topics of “Home, Heart and Health.” While not wanting to limit potential programming ideas, Springfield Township has identified the following topics of interest for potential community programming: family exercise, holiday decorations, cake decorating, arts classes for youth and adult, floral design, photography, social media, web design and home decorating. Complete information, including instructor and programming proposal forms can be found on the Township’s website at www.springfieldtwp.org or may be obtained by calling 522-1154. (forms attached here if anyone is interested in teaching!)



Kimberlee Flamm

Projects, Events & Communications Coordinator

Springfield Township Administration

9150 Winton Road

Cincinnati, OH 45231



Phone: 513-522-1410

Fax: 513-522-1411



Email: kflamm@springfieldtwp.org

Website: www.springfieldtwp.org

Annual Memorial Stephan Preston, Jackie Eckerle, and Karen Morrison

This is our annual memorial to honor the memories of our fallen classmates: Stephan Preston, Jackie Eckerle and Karen Morrison who tragically lost their lives at The Who concert on December 3, 1979.




The P.E.M. Memorial has given out it's first three scholarships this past year to Tim Ovia, Maddy Fessler and Zach Stump all three of which are now enrolled in college.



Please consider attending this annual event and also making a donation which can be brought to the event or mailed in to (and payable to):



The Finneytown Schools Education Foundation

P.O. Box 317647

Cincinnati, Ohio 45231



On description line of check write: The P.E.M. Memorial



The memorial event will take place on the campus of Finneytown High School both outside and inside the PAC building. An alumni band consisting of John Hutchins (rhythm/vocals), Walt Medlock (lead guitar/vocals), Mike (Big Man) Simkin (drums), Tom Eliopoulos (keyboards/vocals), Chris Lohmann (bass) and the possibility of Steve-O Bentz playing some back-up...



We will also be honored to have FHS alumni Brad Bundy's children providing another amazing vocal performance!!!



There will be warm refreshments provided by the Finneytown PTA (We love you guys!!!) to help keep our spirits up along with gift baskets, raffle items, split the pot, etc.!!!



Please tell your friends, bring your friends and most importantly, come to the memorial event yourself...really looking forward to seeing everyone there!!!