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GREETINGS FROM

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES!

We, the Jefferson Township administration, would like to wish the community a Happy New Year. We are thrilled to offer a Township newsletter to assist with helping the community keep up with the great things happening in Jefferson Township. We would like the Newsletter to be filled with Township information and updates, available resources, and information about local businesses as well as enlighten the community about upcoming events and activities in the Jefferson Township.

Great things are happening in Jefferson! In 2021-2022 Jefferson received funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA.) Funds can only be spent on qualifying purchases. With these funds, you will see new and improved equipment, building upgrades, and more, all to better serve the citizens of Jefferson Township. We are also working on improving our Fire/Sheriff Dept., Roads/Cemeteries, and Parks and looking to provide other services to the community.

The Township is almost fully staffed! We are still looking for Seasonal staff. Please review openings through our township job posting. Office hours are 9am-5pm M-F. When you get time, meet the new administration and learn more about what’s happening in Jefferson Township! We hope 2023 is as welcoming as the citizens of Jefferson Township. We look to serving you with great pride and gratitude.

The Jefferson Township Administration

ASK THE FISCAL OFFICER

TRACEY EDWARDS

STAY UP TO DATE WITH TOWNSHIP FINANCES

Jefferson Township is participating in the Ohio Treasurer’s OhioCheckbook.com program for transparency of its expenditures. Residents can view Township spending by visiting www.JeffersonTwp.net.

Meet the Township

Code Enforcement Officer

Larry Minnifield joined Jefferson Township in the spring of 2022! Here are several things Mr. Minnifield would like the community to know about him and his new role:

“My mission is to bring about change in the community that I’ve lived my entire life. I am a lifelong resident. From Hanover to Retford Drive. I graduated from Jefferson High school in 1977. I am a United States Army Veteran. I am a retired Jefferson Township Police Officer. I am the former President of Federal lodge 172. I am a member in of Masonic Lodge Harmony 77. I have 28 years of government service I have recently got involved with a joint task force with the Sheriff’s Department and Montgomery County Health Department.

This is a new challenge for me that I welcome. I ask for time and patience from the citizens to bring about change, please understand this is a large township, and we intake many complaints, but we will get with you to hopefully resolve your issues. My goal through the winter months is to concentrate on abandoned properties. I concentrate on properties in sections of the township one at a time. In the spring and summer months, I will concentrate on property maintenance. I am excited to be a part of the Jefferson Township team!"

Mr. Minnifield can be contacted via lminnifield@jeffersontwp.net or

937.262.3591 ext.108

TOWNSHIP ROADS

ROAD DEPARTMENT UPDATES

FIRE DEPARTMENT TIPS WHEN TO OR NOT TO CALL 911?

911 is for EMERGENCIES! You should only call 911 when there is a serious risk to life or property.

Do not call Jefferson Township Fire Department's direct line when experiencing emergencies. The fire department’s non-emergency number is 937-262-3580. Voicemails left will be returned as soon as possible.

Also, do not ask smart devices, such as Siri, Google, Alexia, Echo to call the nearest fire department. The call may end up at a neighboring community. Directly calling 911 will provide the dispatchers with all the pertinent information including your location, name and call back number. This will ensure emergency services are dispatched timely.

Stay safe out there!

ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Jefferson Township Board of Trustees approved a two year contract with Dynegy Energy Services (East), LLC to provide Township residents with the Electric Aggregation Program. The rate is $.07106 per Kwh for 26 months starting April 1st.

Who is eligible to participate in an electric aggregation program?

Residential or small business customers located in a participating community may enroll. Customers enrolled in PIPP (Percentage of Income Plan) are not eligible for the program.

How do I enroll in the electric aggregation program?

It’s simple and automatic. Residents voted to allow the community to take advantage of this program. Dynegy will send you a letter notifying you of the aggregation opportunity. Unless you opt-out, all eligible customer accounts within your community boundaries will be enrolled. If you’re new to the community or are currently receiving service from a retail provider, contact Dynegy to enroll.

Do I have to participate in the electric aggregation program?

If you don’t want to become a part of the program, simply return the opt-out card or contact Dynegy by the deadline date identified in your letter and your account will remain with your local utility.

What if I decide to opt-out of the electric aggregation program after the deadline has passed?

If you decide the program isn’t for you, contact Dynegy and they’ll switch you back to your local utility.

Residents and business owners can contact Dynegy customer service at 888-682-2170.

For more information visit https: //www.dynegy.com/municipal-aggregation/communities-we-serve/ohio/jefferson-township

OVERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION

What is an electric municipal aggregation program?

It’s an opportunity for cities, townships and counties to negotiate a competitive electricity rate from retail electric suppliers, providing budget stability for their residents and small businesses. When suppliers compete for your business, you end up paying less for electricity and get more choice in contract lengths and other benefits that better fit your lifestyle.

How was Dynegy chosen as the electric supplier?

Your community implemented a formal process where proposals from multiple competitive electric suppliers were submitted for price consideration. Dynegy was selected as the preferred electric supplier.

How can I receive more information about a municipality or county’s aggregation program?

Additional resources and a list of communities we serve can be found on the Municipal Aggregation or contact Dynegy. You can also contact your municipality or county for information related to the referendum and the aggregation program.

ZONING DEPARTMENT

What is Zoning:

Jefferson Township Zoning’s job is to enforce the Jefferson Township Zoning Resolution. The current zoning resolution was passed back in 2019. Throughout the Township is a variety of Zoning areas from as small as Residential all the way to Rural. The text is in place to preserve the rural/residential mixed-use areas in the Township.

The Zoning department also works with Code Enforcement, Community Development, Economic Development, Grants, and Tax Assessments. Anyone wishing to build a property, add a pool, Cell Towers, Demolition, and a variety of other categories all start with Zoning before anything can be done to a lot. Zoning works with a variety of community agencies like Montgomery County Public Health, Montgomery County Sheriff, Montgomery County building, and Public Health to enforce the zoning text. Zoning works with various Township departments, Code Enforcement and Fire Departments on a variety of nuisance issues and township issues regarding zoning.

In the chart below, you will see Zoning highlights for 2022 over 6-months of the Zoning team. For more information, Mr. Walker can be contacted via email ewalker@jeffersontwp.net or 937.262.3591 ext.109

NUISANCE ABATEMENT

What is Nuisance Abatement?

There are many abandoned property situations where it is far better to attempt to get the owner to correct or abate nuisance conditions, or to have the municipality abate the conditions directly, than to go through the often-arduous process of taking title to the property. Nuisance abatement can be part of a strategy to prevent abandonment, particularly where it is combined with incentives for property owners, and/or part of a strategy to address properties that have already been abandoned and are being neglected by their owners.

Does Jefferson Township provide property maintenance to nuisance properties?

Jefferson Township will issue letters to property owners in violation of the Exterior Property Maintenance Resolution. Once a violation occurs, our code enforcement will follow up on if it is in compliance. If a violation continues, We issue a resolution which then calls for a $350.00 fee/ tax assessment if not paid. The fee is per hour of work performed by our Road Department or a contractor.

EXPERIENCING BAD SMELLS?

Call the odor hotline at 937-268-0522. The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) has noticed problems at the facility. By calling the odor hotline if you smell an odor, you will help RAPCA and the company pinpoint problems and eliminate them. RAPCA can also be reached directly at 937-225-4435.

Send an email to the Ohio EPA. Clean Water has asked the Ohio EPA to transfer its environmental permits to Valicor, and you can comment on that transfer or on the performance of the facility by sending an email to Cathy.Altman@epa.ohio.gov

Upcoming Board Of Trustee Meeting Dates:

March 15, 2023 -6pm & 7pm

April 4, 2023 -6pm & 7pm

April 19, 2023- 6pm & 7pm