2019-20_GYS_OPT

21 YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS The GUIDE to YELLOW SPRINGS 2019 – 20 Offering: Traditional, as well as cremation services Pre-arrangement counseling Educational/support materials handicapped accessible J ACKSON L YTLE & L EWIS FUNERAL HOMES Fax: 937-399-2501 322 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, Ohio We’re building a reputation, not resting on one! 937-767-7310 Accommodations for 6 1 block from the Clifton Mill 2 blocks from Clifton Gorge 8 Clinton St ., Clifton C lifton G arden C abin www.CliftonGardenCabin.com CliftonGardenCabin@gmail.com Guest Lodging 769-5040 937-708-0559 Craig@MiamiValleyUltimate.com www.MiamiValleyUltimate.com Craig Mesure Your Local Real Estate Consultant MIAMI TOWNSHIP CONTAC T: Miami Township offices, 225 Corry St. or 1001 Xenia Ave., 767‑2460 EMA I L : trustees@miamitownship.net WE B : www.miamitownship.net Miami Township, established in 1817, en- compasses approximately 25 square miles in Greene County and includes the Villages of Yellow Springs and Clifton. It is governed by a three-member Board of Trustees, currently Chris Mucher, chair; Mark Crockett, vice chair; Don Hollister, trustee; and Margaret Silliman, fiscal officer. The Township is zoned, and the trustees oversee and appoint five members of the Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Township Zoning Code and Map are available online. The Trustees also maintain 14.35 miles of Township roads, all of which are hard surfaced, and the operation of six cemeter- ies; Clifton-Union, Glen Forest, Glen Forest East, Glen Forest Natural Burial Cemetery, including the memorial Scattering Garden, Pleasant Grove Cemetery and the Grinnell Family Cemetery. The Township also owns the historic Grin- nell Mill, a restored 19th century grist mill that currently operates as a bed and break- fast, whose contact number is 767-0131. The Board of Trustees meet the first and third Mondays of each month at 5 p.m., at the Trustees offices, located at 225 Corry St. (soon to move to 1001 Xenia Ave.) in Yellow Springs. Township residents are invited to attend meetings, which traditionally have an “open” agenda format. Meeting minutes can be viewed by visiting www.miamitownship.net . VILLAGE MEDIATION PROGRAM OF YELLOW SPRINGS CONTAC T: John Gudgel, 605‑8754 EMA I L : MAccount@vil.yellowsprings.oh.us WE B : www.yso.com The Village Mediation Program of Yellow Springs provides peaceful and productive methods of addressing conflict in the Yellow Springs and Miami Township community. Skilled volunteer mediators provide free me- diation sessions to assist community mem- bers with their disputes. Free facilitation and consultation services are available for nonprofit, community service and education organizations. VMP offers a variety of work- shops and training opportunities for local residents and organizations. New mediators are always welcomed. VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS CONTAC T: John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton St., 767‑3402; Parks and Recreation, 767‑7209 EMA I L : monitors@vil.yellowsprings.oh.us WE B : www.yso.com An engaged, active citizenry and a respon- sive government are a tradition in Yellow Springs. The Village of Yellow Springs is a political subdivision of the state of Ohio, governed by a home-rule charter adopted in 1950. The Village operates under the Council-Manager form of government, operating several departments, including police, streets main- tenance, parks, water treatment and distribu- tion, sewer and storm water collection, water reclamation, refuse/recycling, and electrical service. Fire and EMS service are provided by Miami Township. The Village offices are located in the Bryan Center, at 100 Dayton St. The Village Council is a nonpartisan, five-member governing elected body. The Council serves as the policy-making body of the Village, with the Village Manager assist- ing Council with policy decisions through analysis on policy alternatives, implement- ing policy decisions and carrying out other duties as described in the Charter. Three of the five Council members are elected every two years, in the November general election in odd-numbered years. The two candidates receiving the most votes are elected to four- year terms, and the candidate with the third- highest total receives a two-year term. Vil- lage Council is presided over by the Council president, who is a Council member elected by Council members with each newly elected Council. The Village Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., in the Bryan Center. Council provides time at each meeting for public input, on both matters being discussed before Council and on matters not on the agenda, but of interest to the community. Meetings are televised live via cable TV on Channel 5. The Planning Commission meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Bryan Center. The Planning Commission is presided over by a chairperson elected by the members and consists of five mem- bers who are appointed by Village Council, including one Council representative. The commission provides time at each meeting for public input on matters being discussed before the commission. These meetings are also televised on Channel 5. The Board of Zoning Appeals, or BZA, meets as needed to hear variance and other zoning matters. BZA is presided over by a chair elected by the board and consists of five members appointed by Council. BZA meetings are open to the public and are tel- evised on Channel 5. Council also has established citizen advi- sory committees and commissions who ad- vise Council on policy matters. Membership is appointed by Council, but meetings remain open to the public for input and comment. These are the Library Commission, Human Relations Commission, Environmental Com- mission, Energy Board, Public Art Com- mission and Community Access Panel. The Village works with other local groups on spe- cific projects. Village partners have included the Chamber of Commerce, Community Re- sources, Home, Inc., Tecumseh Land Trust, Bicycle Enhancement and Safe Routes to School Committee, the Senior Center, Yellow Springs Arts Council, the Tree Committee and several others. The Village operates a mediation program to help resolve disputes and foster peace in the community. The Bryan Center is a multi-use facility that provides space for Village government offices, Mayor’s Court, conference and meet- ing rooms, a youth center and a number of recreational and educational areas. The center is accessible to all citizens per the use policy. Facilities for tennis and basketball, as well as a pottery shop, toddler playground and the skate park are located at the rear of the Bryan Center property. Recreational activities in the village include numerous parks and the Bryan Center. Gaunt Park, located on West South College Street, is the Village’s largest park and is home to the public swimming pool. The Village’s swim team, the Seadogs, competes regionally. The two softball diamonds at Gaunt Park are used by men’s and women’s leagues and the Perry League, the local T-ball program. The Yellow Springs Youth Baseball Program also plays at Gaunt Park every summer. Ellis Park, on the north end of town, is a passive recreation park where patrons enjoy strolling through the Lloyd Kennedy Arboretum and/or using the fishing pond. Ohio’s longest bike trail, the Little Miami Bike Trail, runs adjacent to the Bryan Center parking lot. Residents and visitors use the trail for bicycling, walking, running, skating, horseback riding and other nonmotorized recreation. The Village man- ages its section of trail in conjunction with the Greene County Parks & Trails department. LOCAL GOVERNMENT