hamilton township administration
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7780 S. State Route 48 Maineville, OH 45039 Phone: (513) 683.8520 Fax: (513) 683.4325 Mark Sousa - Board Chair Joe Rozzi - Trustee Darryl Cordrey - Trustee Kurt Weber - Fiscal Officer Township Administrator Steve Pegram (513) 239.2372 Police Department Scott Hughes - Police Chief (513) 683.0538 (Non Emergency) Fire & Emergency Services Jason Jewett - Fire Chief (513) 683.1622 (Non Emergency) Public Works Director Don Pelfrey (513) 683.5360 Economic Development and Zoning (513) 683.8520 Assistant Fiscal Officer Ellen Horman (513) 239.2377 Human Resources Manager Cheryl Allgeyer (513) 239.2384 Zoning Administrator Lindsey Gehring (513) 239.2379 Parks & Recreation Nicole Earley (513) 239.2391 Cemetery Sexton/PW Admin. Asst. Chrisie Hainey (513) 683.5320 Administrative Assistant Lauren Collins (513) 683-8520
Winter 2023 2022
Fire Training Tower Rendering
With the holiday season behind us, we can all take a deep breath and settle into the new year ahead. The gray skies may give us the winter blues, but there's plenty to look forward to in 2023 to brighten our mood. Hopes for a Superbowl appearance, our Hamilton Township event calendar, a new playground and other improvements at Mounts Park, the addition of a shelter and Fire Training Tower at Marr Park to provide valuable training opportunities to better serve our residents, road widening at our main corridor to reduce travel time and improve safety, and tons of development! While we know some of this comes with some temporary headaches, just remember to tell yourself, it'll be worth it! Have you checked out our website? Be sure to visit Hamilton-Township.org to stay in the know of all things Hamilton Township. This great resource is constantly updated with new information and even has a detailed map of all of the upcoming development along with links to construction projects. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date. We look forward to seeing all of you out and about in Hamilton Township this year!
a lot to see in 2023
Newsletter
Click here to learn more about the HTPD.
"It is clear that the agency has made it a part of their normal operating procedures to keep their community involved in safety and education prevention for all ages." Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
2022 felt like a whirlwind and was over before we knew it. Our call volume continues to increase with the population growth of the Township and with the upcoming development projects we know this will only continue to rise. We welcomed some new faces to accommodate this growth, promoted Sergeant Quillan Short to HTPD's very first Captain position in department history, and promoted Britney Huelsman to Detective. Little Miami schools added an additional school resource officer (Officer Smith) at the primary school after some nationwide events led to schools adding additional safety measures. Community engagement is something HTPD takes very seriously. Those efforts were recognized by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police when we were selected as the Sharing Ohio's Best Agency of the month in November. In case you're still getting to know us, we offer annual Citizens and Junior Police Academies, Women’s Self Defense Classes, National Night Out, Cones with the Cops, Drug Take Back events, Coffee with the Cops, and multiple training courses for residents. We also participate in countless community, school, and neighborhood events. We're excited to add a Fishing with the 5-0 event this spring at Mounts Park. We are so thankful to serve this community and look forward to doing it all again in 2023!
'22 in the rearview
Captain Quillan Short
2022 was a year of change and growth for HTFR. The year began with Chief Brian Reese retiring and Assistant Chief Jason Jewett taking over as Fire Chief. Just after the start of 2022, Dan Berkebile was added to the staff as the new Assistant Chief. The new chief staff has focused on training and physical fitness and giving the responders all the tools needed to be succesful daily. In June, we promoted Brian Webb to Lieutenant. The department filled the extra full time position that was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2020, bringing our total employees up to 41 (26 full-time and 15 part-time). To say we had a busy 2022 is an understatement. Our total run numbers were up about 10% this year, logging 3,074 total runs (EMS and Engine Runs), up from 2,798 last year. This was the first year in HTFR history that we have received over 3,000 runs. In December we reached a new monthly high of 310 runs. For the year, our average runs went from 7.7 runs per day to 8.4 per day. Our inspector, Cory Sanders, logged 183 annual inspections with 49 re-inspections and an additional 51 home inspections. With our ladder truck nearing replacement age, HTFR appointed a ladder committee to work with the manufacturer on specifications for the new truck. The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer 107' Ascendant Aerial Ladder Truck which we expect to be delivered in the first quarter of 2025. There is also a new Fire Training Tower on the horizon. This is a joint project with Deerfield Township and will provide valuable training for our department to better serve our community. This project is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2023. With LOEB Grant funding we were able to purchase a SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) cascade fill station. In addition to participating in Hamilton Township's community and neighborhood events, we held our very 1st Open House at Station 76. In October we opened our doors to the community to spotlight all the services that we have to offer and look forward to holding this event every year. We're excited for all of the things 2023 will bring and are happy to serve the residents of Hamilton Township! Click here to learn more about the HTFR .
Brent Centers & Fire Chief Jason Jewett
Lieutenant Webb, pictured with his Father
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Berkebile & Family
a year of growth
When you think of us, you most likely think road maintenance. Roads are our top priority and generally occupy 50% of our time, if you factor in ditch and culvert maintenance, but take a glance at the pie chart to see just how our workload is divided amongst numerous tasks. The Public Works Department offers more services than meets the eye. It's vital for us to practice great time management. Our day to day tasks have to be completed around weather conditions, calls for service requests, and any emergency situations that may arise. A week of wet weather can really put us behind and we always feel like we're playing catch up. 2022 was another challenging year for our department in regards to staffing. The struggle in hiring Service Worker II's has now continued for an entire year. With increased services our team deserves some extra recognition for stepping up to the plate and accomplishing tasks while running short staffed. Good news for our department is that our mechanics have found their groove in the garage. They have been doing an outstanding job maintaining the fleet for the police, fire, and maintenance departments. We promoted 5 year veteran Road Supervisor, Don Pelfrey to our Public Works Director and also promoted 14 year Service Worker II, Justin Thompson to Foreman. Our crew has always been tight-knit, but really bonded this year after the pickleball court lines were painted at Testerman Park. We decided to give the game a try and fell in love with it! The crew now rushes through lunch most days to square off against each other in a quick matchup. We also took home the Hero's Cup at the LMA Chamber Cardboard Boat Regatta along with 3rd place overall. Our crew uses their own free time to build our cardboard boat and paint our plows. In 2022, the Township expanded on some community events which we're always happy to set-up, break-down, and participate in. The parade route, stage, parking, and large-scale tent at the Freedom Parade; the fire pit and Grinch at the Tree Lighting; the painted plows on display at multiple events; and the sunflower field are just some of our behind the scenes work. In 2023, we're excited to grow our team so we can continue to increase our services to our residents. With each year's expanded use of our software program, PubWorks we look forward to gaining valuable reports to create efficiencies in our workload within our department. Be sure to say hello to us at Township events so you can continue to get to know all of the faces behind our department!
Justin Thompson, Foreman
THE NUTS & BOLTS
public works
Click here to learn more about our Public Works Department
Don Pelfrey, Public Works Director
Click here to learn more about our Economic Development & Zoning Department
ECOnOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING
2022 zoning recap
even with a decline in single family dwelling permits issued between 2021 (264) & 2022 (186), hamilton township still ranked #1 in where greater cincinnati homes are being built source: hba of greater Cincinnati
Click here to learn more about our finance department
Our budget is very healthy. Through fiscally conservative budgeting, we are on our 8th perfect audit. We are able to budget consistent debt reduction while including capital projects for community improvements.
finance update
Ellen Horman is our Assistant Fiscal Officer and maintains the day-to-day operations of the fiscal office. She has led us through 8 perfect audits!
Judge James Hall Residence, present
In the southwest corner of Hamilton Township, overlooking the Little Miami River, lies the former summer home of Judge James Hall. Built on a farm of 181 acres in 1854 the home was called Mt. Welcome after Hall’s family estate in Maryland. Over the course of his life, Hall was a soldier, lawyer, prosecuting attorney, circuit judge, newspaper and magazine editor, Treasurer of the State of Illinois, banker in Cincinnati, and literary giant who was one of the earliest to write about the American frontier. James Hall was born in Philadelphia in 1793 while George Washington was President. He interrupted his legal studies to serve in the War of 1812 and after completing his legal studies in Pittsburg in 1818 he headed to the frontier town of Shawneetown, Illinois. He served as both the attorney and the editor of the Illinois Gazette. In 1821 he became prosecuting attorney for ten Illinois counties and gained state-wide fame by winning the first murder trial in the history of Illinois. In 1825 Hall was chosen to give the welcoming address when Lafayette visited the town. In 1827 he became the Treasurer of the State of Illinois which necessitated a move to the state capital of Vandalia. Here he also became the editor of the Illinois Intelligencer. In the 1830’s he began to write a series of books dealing with the development of the West, which was the Ohio Valley at that time. He also started a literary magazine called the Illinois Monthly Magazine (later known as the Western Monthly Magazine) after he moved to Cincinnati. In 1835 this publication was the most important journal of the West. In 1832 tragedy struck when wife Mary and their newborn baby died and he lost the election for Illinois State Treasurer. At the suggestion of his friend, Salmon Chase, he moved to Cincinnati and lived at the Pearl Street House, a grand hotel at the corner of Pearl and Walnut, for three years. During that time his writing flourished as he published five of his principal works. In 1835 Hall entered partnership with Thomas McKenney to write and edit The History of the Indian Tribes of North America. This three-volume masterpiece which featured 120 Indian chiefs took eight years to complete. Hall wrote over 27 books and pamphlets, but this was considered his greatest literary achievement. In 1835 Hall became associated with the Commercial Bank of Cincinnati, first as cashier and later as President. Banking, instead of law remained his profession for the rest of his life. In September of 1839 he married Mary Louisa Anderson Alexander, a 30-year-old widow, and they had five children. Their primary residence was a large brick house on East Third Street overlooking Lytle Park, but their summer home in Hamilton Township became a welcome respite from the noisy city. Hall died in their summer home on July 5, 1868, at the age of 76.
Judge James Hall Residence, years ago
judge james hall
Historic
Tales of the Township
Friends of the 20 Mile House, Dan Kindel, Jerry York & Don Hahn
Thank you to Dr. Karen Dinsmore for her contributions
F U N
f a c t s One summer in the early 1850's, Josiah Henson, also known as Uncle Tom, forded at this same location to stay at Butterworth Station. His life as a slave for 42 years was the inspiration for Uncle Tom in the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. In 1833, Judge James Hall gave a speech at Miami University urging the school to accept women noting the danger to a nation that only educated a small minority. It took 54 more years before that happened but now more women than men are in attendance. Hall's book, The History of the Indian Tribes of North America became valuable after the original portraits of Indian chiefs were destroyed in a Smithsonian fire in 1865. An 1844 1st Edition now costs $120,000. Mary Burtschi, author of the book, James Hall of Lincoln's Frontier World, owns an historic house called The Little Brick House in Vandalia, Illinois. This home houses many of Hall's personal items as well as copies of his books, magazines, and all other writings for university students to use for research. For more information about Judge James Hall's personal life, his contributions to Cincinnati, and a complete list of his works read James Hall Spokesman of the New West by Randolph Randall or James Hall Literary Pioneer of the Ohio Valley by John T. Flanagan.
NEXT ISSUE: Warren County's Lost Township
did you miss our issue about CAMP BUTTERWORTH? click here to get caught up!
If you ever stopped to read the Ohio Historical Marker at Butterworth Station, which is rather isolated, you may have wondered how runaway slaves were brought there. Ann Hagedorn introduces us to one particularly devoted conductor, Lawry Rankin, in her book Beyond the River, The Untold Heroes of the Underground Railroad. Rankin was a student at Lane Seminary and guided over 300 runaway slaves out of Cincinnati to Warren County in just two short years. Rankin started by moving one runaway slave who was hidden in the free black community and needed to be moved to the home of William Butterworth immediately. There was a $500 reward that had been offered for the runaway’s capture and several parties were hunting him down. On an October evening in 1836, Rankin and the runaway slave forded the Little Miami River and continued to safety with the detailed directions that were provided to him. After delivering him safely, Rankin returned to Lane Seminary and managed to be in bed before dawn. Rankin was asked to take runaway slaves to other locations in Warren County but preferred going to Butterworth Station as he could get to the destination and back before class the next day. More distant locations like Springboro meant missing class which, over time, raised suspicions of his proslavery professors. Lawry Rankin was just one of the conductors who at a moment’s notice in rain, shine, or snow headed out of Cincinnati and waded across the Little Miami River to get runaway slaves to Butterworth Station. On October 21, 2022 a marker prepared by Don Hahn and Richard Cocks was placed at the fording site by Friends of the 20 Mile House to pay tribute to these heroes who aided weary runaway slaves across the Little Miami River in their quest for freedom.
Recent examples of WCF's Impact in our community: Launched the Warren County Imagination Library program in 2020 as the fiscal agent and organizer Coordinated $300,000+ in COVID relief grants for non-profit organizations in Warren County
Warren County Foundation celebrates 25 years of helping impact our community
Reach out today to learn more about how you can positively impact Hamilton Township and Warren County through charitable giving. www.WarrenCountyFoundation.org - 513-934-1001 - Tom Seddon, CEO
"As a small non-profit that relies on a patchwork of funding to support our service in the community, the Warren County Foundation grants have been instrumental in supporting the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County's mission to provide a team response to child abuse and neglect through intervention and education." -Amy Fornshell, Manager, Child Advocacy Center of Warren County
Thank you to Warren County Foundation donors & partners in Hamilton Township who are impacting our community's future!
The Warren County Foundation (WCF) celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2022 by delivering its mission to enhance the quality of life in Warren County by encouraging and facilitating charitable giving. In 2023, WCF is striving to expand its impact throughout the county with donors and non-profit, government, school and business partners. WCF serves Hamilton Township and the Warren County region by: 1) Providing a variety of funds, backroom support, and investment options to assist individuals and organizations for charitable giving. 2) Addressing community needs by making grants to area non-profit organizations
lma chamber cardboard boat regatta
joint FREEDOM PARADE & Festival
December 9 - Maineville/ Hamilton Township - Station 76
movie in the park
earth day cleanup
October 31 - 6-8pm, Rain or Shine
December 16 - Maineville Cemetery
Late September Bloom - Mounts Park
national night out
trick - or - treat
touch - a - truck
trunk - or - treat
2023 events
July 21 - Testerman Park
JOINT tree lighting celebration
June 26 - June 30 - HTPD
htpd citizens police academy
October 21 - Testerman Park
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
August 19 - Oeder's Lake
station 76 open house
April 1 - Testerman Park
sunflower field
Hamilton Township & the Village of Maineville have created a wonderful partnership and will be hosting some community events jointly to benefit all of our residents together!
fishinG with the 5-0
January 9th - March 20th - HTPD
easter egg hunt
junior police academy
April 15 - Mounts Park
June 10 - Fellowship Baptist
April 22 - Mounts Park
July 4 - Maineville/Hamilton Township Ends at Testerman Park
August 1 - Oeder's Lake
October 14 - Fire Station 76
1 lb. Meat of your choice 1 Small Jar Spaghetti Sauce 1 Carton Chicken Broth 2 Cans Italian Diced Tomatoes 2 Tsp. Tomato Paste 1 Box Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles, Broken into pieces 2 Tsp. Onion Powder, divided 2 Tsp. Garlic Powder, divided 1 Tsp. Pepper 1 Tsp. Oregano 1 Tsp. Basil 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream 1 Small Container Ricotta Cheese 1/3 Cup Mozzarella Cheese 1/3 Cup Italian Cheese Parmesan Cheese, garnish
volunteer corner
1. Season meat with 1 Tsp. each of the garlic and onion powder. Fully cook and drain grease, if necessary. Add to large pot. 2. Add remaining ingredients, except heavy cream and cheeses, to the large pot and cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes. 3. While that is cooking, mix ricotta, mozzarella, and Italian cheese along with seasonings of choice (we recommend a sprinkle or two of onion & garlic powders, pepper, oregano, and basil) and mix. 4. After 8 minutes is up, add 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 2-3 heaping scoops of the ricotta cheese mixture. Cover with lid and cook until noodles are soft. Adjust seasoning if needed. 5. Ladle soup into a bowl, top with a dollop of ricotta mixture and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Directions
This was a hit at a recent Public Works Department employee lunch and sure to fill you up on a cold winter night.
Ingredients
Cooking with Chrisie
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 1st 10am - 12pm Testerman Park Egg stuffers, egg hiding, assist with hunt & games Click here to sign up
Fishing with the 5-0 Saturday, April 15th 9am - 1pm Mounts Park Sign in table, raffle tables, lunch service, games Click here to sign up
Want to get involved with your community? Volunteering is a great way to meet your Hamilton Township neighbors, earn community service hours, and give back to your community. There are opportunities for all ages!
Earth Day Cleanup Saturday, April 22nd 9am - 2pm Locations TBD Sign up here!
Lasagna Soup
Chrisie Hainey is our Administrative Assistant for the Public Works Department and also serves as our Cemetery Sexton. She inputs all resident requests for service, assists our mechanics with fleet maintenance paperwork and assists the PW Director with day-to-day bills. She joined our team in August of 2022 and worked for Little Miami Transportation Department prior to joining us.
2022 employees of the year
Matthew Leeper, EMS Provider, HTFR
Alex Stephens, Chief Award, HTPD
Officer Eli Kibbe, HTPD
Justin Cormany, Chief Award, HTFR
Ron Peek, HTPW
Stuart Koloszar, Firefighter, HTFR
Congratulations to our