011
Mason Matters June / July 2013
Inside This Issue: 2 3 4 5 6 2,7,8 8
City Manager on Volunteering Road Maintenance Rain Barrels Sidewalk Replacement Summer Safety Team Recognition Around Mason
ed io: rat
, Oh Mason
4th
2 LACE Sunshine Concert Series Provides A Variety P S E BE T V I L TO agazine 2011 Of Summer Entertainment ey m y Mon
b pend your warm summer Sunday evenings outdoors with some free entertainment brought to you by the City of Mason. The long-running Sunshine Concert Series brings a different local band to Mason each week, along with some extra family activities. Your 7-week musical journey begins Sunday, June 23. The concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be at Mason Municipal Center or at The Golf Center at Kings Island.
S
June 23: The season opens with an invitation to close your eyes and dream of the tropics with Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band at The Golf Center at Kings Island. Plan on bringing the family for a picnic from The Golf Center’s CourseView Restaurant. From 4 to 7 p.m., pick up a boxed fried chicken dinner to enjoy out on the lawn for just $6.99 a person. You’ll get two pieces of chicken, French fries, coleslaw, and a non-alcoholic drink. Or enjoy the hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, and beer that will be sold at the concert site until 8 p.m. June 30: Find a place on the front lawn of Mason Municipal Center to enjoy the sounds of Phatty and the Mojo. This group of four related musicians can do southern rock, blues, classic rock, and country. Graeter’s will be on hand to sell you a cool treat. July 7: Enjoy the sounds of local talent as students at the School of Rock in Mason bring their show to Mason Municipal Center. Someday you may be able to say, “I heard those musicians when they were just getting their start way back when…” Family Sunday Fun Day activities will be featured from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in honor of National Parks and Recreation month. Plan to buy a treat from Culver’s to cool down the evening.
July 21: It’s back to The Golf Center at Kings Island for Slowhand’s Eric Clapton tribute. The group has been playing together since 1994 and their vocal and guitar sounds will make you think you’re listening to Eric himself. Enjoy this remarkable group while devouring a boxed
July 28: Celebrate 50 years of Motown Records with The Motown Sound of Touch on the front lawn of Mason Municipal Center. For 15 years, this group has been entertaining audiences with energetic dance steps, colorful outfits, comedy, choreography, and great music! Family Sunday Fun Day begins at 5:30 p.m., so come out to enjoy the music while you celebrate National Parks and Recreation month with some lively games and treats purchased from the Culver's stand. August 4: Go back in time and across the pond with Aftermath. This 60s tribute band focuses on the British Invasion. You’ll hear the sounds of The Beatles, The Byrds, The Monkees, and more. Bring your kids to Mason Municipal Center to experience the sights and sounds of the 60s. Graeter’s will bring the ice cream stand. August 11: The season closes with JAB, a cover rock band, at Mason Municipal Center. Pick up some Culver’s ice cream to enjoy while you talk to local service providers at the Community Business Expo. Try some tennis-themed activities to get ready for the Western & Southern Open coming to Mason on August 10-18. And be ready to congratulate the winners of the Great Mason Chase as they are announced at the concert. For information about the Great Mason Chase, please visit www.imaginemason.org. An interactive intermission at each concert promises to provide even more fun and entertainment. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and dancing shoes to this popular free concert series. www.imaginemason.org
Mason Matters
July 14: Pay a tribute to the music of Steely Dan with Aja, deemed one of the finest Steely Dan tribute bands by legendary Steely Dan drummer Bernard Purdie. Come out to Mason Municipal Center at 5:30 p.m. to get a jump on Family Sunday Fun Day, which runs till 7 p.m. in celebration of National Parks and Recreation month. The whole family will enjoy some good old-fashioned fun! Graeter's returns with some cold treats for purchase.
fried chicken dinner of two pieces of chicken, French fries, coleslaw, and a non-alcoholic drink. The boxed dinner is available from 4 to 7 p.m. for $6.99 from the Courseview Restaurant. Or enjoy the hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, and beer that will be sold at the concert site until 8 p.m. Celebrate National Parks and Recreation month with Family Sunday Fun Day games from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
1
From the City Manager
Eric Hansen, City Manager
We appreciate your calls, visits and e-mails to Mason Municipal Center to discuss what is going on in the city. I encourage you to call 513.229.8500 or stop in any time during business hours if you need information or assistance.
Dear Mason Resident, The City of Mason welcomes volunteers who would like to help the city in various capacities. Currently, we are especially looking for individuals who like to be outdoors and would enjoy becoming a VIP – a Volunteer In the Parks. VIPS spend most of their time at Pine Hill Lakes Park, where they check fishing passes, sell daily fishing passes, and help educate park visitors about park rules and policies. VIPs also let our staff know when they see trash that needs to be picked up or equipment that needs to be repaired. We appreciate having these extra eyes and ears at the park to help our visitors. They are a valuable resource in helping the staff keep our parks clean, safe, and friendly. VIPs may also have opportunities to assist with scheduled events in the park, such as the Great Mason Chase coming up in August. Other volunteer opportunities within the city exist as well, including clerical work, nature activities, assisting with special events, and serving on city boards and commissions. City volunteers receive formal recognition for their work. Assignments are flexible and allow you to form new friendships while using your experience and skills to help others. Volunteering can also help you establish job references. If you would like to learn more about how you can enjoy the rewards of volunteering, please visit our website at www.imaginemason.org/things-to-do/get-involved.cfm or call 513.229.8555 and ask to speak to our volunteer coordinator.
Mason Matters is published by the City of Mason. For information about this publication, or if you are a Mason resident and do not receive this newsletter, either through OurTown magazine or mailed separately with the CenterPoint program guide, please contact the City of Mason at 513.229.8510.
City Of Mason Contact Information
6000 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, Ohio 45040 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
513.229.8500 www.imaginemason.org Main Number 513.229.8500
Tax Office 513.229.8535
City Hotlines 513.229.8502
Utility Customer Service 513.229.8533
Administration 513.229.8510 Community Center 513.229.8555 Emergency 9.1.1 Engineering & Building 513.229.8520 Finance 513.229.8530 Fire Department Administration 513.229.8540 Parks & Recreation 513.229.8555 Police Department Administration 513.229.8560 Public Utilities 513.229.8570
Mason Matters
Public Works 513.229.8580
2
Mason Twisters Excel
Mayor David F. Nichols, Vice Mayor Victor Kidd, and members of City Council recognized Mason Community Center’s Twisters gymnastics team for their accomplishments since the team was formed with just nine members in 2010. Head Coach Yonce Daniels, a former professional gymnast, has helped grow the team to 30 girls this year. The team is now recognized in every competition it attends because it always has gymnasts who place in the top three. Standing with the team are (from left): Chrissy Avery, Community Center Program Manager; Dana Maidenberg, Community Center Membership Services Supervisor; Mayor Nichols; Coach Daniels, and Vice Mayor Kidd (far right). June / July 2013
U
Utility Billing Questions Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700 Utility Service Questions: Sewer Service and Emergencies 513.229.8570 (nights, holidays & weekends, emergencies only)
513.925.2525 Stormwater 513.229.8570 Waste Collection and Recycling 513.229.8533 Water Service and Emergencies Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700
SSO Report
nder the City’s NPDES Permit for the Water Reclamation Plant, there is a requirement for preparation of an annual report on Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). The report for each year must be prepared by March 31st of the following year. The 2012 report is available for inspection by the general public at the City of Mason Water Reclamation Plant, 3200 Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road. The plant is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday except for holidays. The telephone number at the plant is 513.229.8570.
A
Keeping Mason Green
simple change has brought the city significant savings. Several years ago, the city began using local companies to do landscaping, irrigation, and mowing work around the city. This freed the Public Works staff to handle tasks that were more efficiently or effectively done by city workers. The city was fortunate to obtain bids at competitive prices from reputable landscaping companies, helping to lower overall costs by reducing the need for seasonal help and overtime. However, as the list of items to be contracted grew over the years, fewer companies had the resources to handle the increased work, leading to fewer bids. This year, a single change has again allowed the city to achieve significant savings. For the 2013 season, the mowing was divided into two parts. One part included only right-of-way mowing and litter pickup on Bethany Road, portions of U.S. 42 and S.R. 741, on downtown parcels on MasonMontgomery Road, and the I-71 ramps at S.R. 741. The larger, second part included maintaining the Tylersville Road and MasonMontgomery Road corridors, Kings Island
Drive, Snider Road, and Western Row Road as well as the grounds at Fire Station 51, Fire Station 52, Mason Municipal Center, and Quinn Park. Much of this second contract focused on landscaping and irrigation maintenance, mowing, and weed control. It also included summer planting bed design, installation, and maintenance; spring, summer and fall grounds cleanup; watering, fertilizing, and pruning over 1,500 street trees; replacing dead street trees and saltdamaged vegetation; and mulching around trees and in planting beds. Contractors could bid on either or both parts. Dividing the work opened the bidding to both small and large landscaping firms in an effort to make the contract more competitive and to keep prices low. The strategy worked and City Council awarded the two parts of the contract to separate companies. The bid prices were very competitive and, combined with the bid organization, represent only a modest increase over last year’s prices. However, because additional work was added to this year’s contract, the result is a significant savings over last year.
As you drive around the city through the growing season, please slow down and use extra caution when you see the crews from Pierce’s Lawncare and Landscaping, Inc., or Fredericks Landscaping at work in the city’s right-of-way.
Streets Selected As Annual Paving Program Begins
E
ach year beginning in January, the city’s engineering staff inspects Mason’s public streets, alleys, and municipal pavement areas to determine where repairs are needed. Several characteristics are considered during this review, including pavement cracking, weathering, curbs, rideability, and drainage. Streets are ranked by the total of points awarded to each of the street characteristics. The sum of the total points awarded becomes the “PCI” or pavement condition index. Streets with “poor” to “failing” PCI’s are placed in the year’s street resurfacing program. Streets that are considered to be in “fair” condition are scheduled for crack sealing and full depth pavement repairs to extend the life of the pavement. This pavement management system provides a consistent mechanism for determining the streets eligible for the city’s street resurfacing program. Streets scheduled for resurfacing in 2013 are Snider Road (from Tylersville Road to
Expect To Owe 2013 Taxes?
f you expect to owe Mason city income taxes for 2013 and city taxes are not deducted from your paycheck, the Tax Office would like to remind you that it’s time to make a quarterly payment. Please remember that ninety per cent of your 2013 tax liability is due by January 31, 2014. Please make your quarterly payment by July 31. To assist you in making your payment, quarterly estimated
payment vouchers are available online. You may also choose to pay your quarterly estimate via the online tax tool. Please visit www.imaginemason.org/services/tax-information.cfm to find these forms and tools. If you need assistance in determining whether you need to make estimated payments or if you need to adjust your declaration, the Tax Office is glad to help. Please call 513.229.8535 for assistance. www.imaginemason.org
Mason Matters
I
Thornberry Court), Cedar Village Drive (inside the city limits), Manor Lake Drive, Fairway Drive (from Eagleview Drive to Kings Mills Road), and Cloverwood Drive from Walnut Lane to the dead end. A black slurry seal will be placed on Industrial Row Road, Fairway Drive (from Tylersville Road to Eagleview Drive), and on Snider Road (from Thornberry Court to Mason Road). Paving is expected to last through the end of October. In an ongoing effort to contain costs, the City of Mason is partnering with West Chester Township to pave ButlerWarren Road from St. Lawrence Drive to Grand Oaks Court. This partnership allows one contractor to be used, providing an organized construction schedule that will reduce the inconvenience to the traveling public and allow for reductions in cost per unit due to the increased quantity.
3
Save Money and the Environment Install a Rain Barrel! Warren County
Soil & Water Conservation District
C
lean water is the country’s most valuable and non-replaceable resource. That is why it is important to conserve it to preserve our fresh water supply. One way to conserve water is to use rain barrels to store rainwater from rooftops for lawn and garden use. Rain barrels not only conserve water, they help reduce your water bill and reduce pollution by reducing stormwater runoff.
Why use a Rain Barrel?
Mason Matters
Typically, rain water runoff is collected in storm sewer systems and released directly into streams. This direct runoff contributes to flooding in developed areas that have a lot of impervious surfaces (roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, and other surfaces that don’t absorb rain water.) This runoff can pick up and carry pollutants that contribute to poor water quality, which can affect the health of our local waterways and even our drinking water. The flooding and addition of pollutants become even more problematic in highly developed areas as more impervious surfaces cause more runoff during a rain or snow event. When you collect rain water that would otherwise enter the storm sewers, you are helping to minimize the amount of storm water that directly drains into the streams. A rain barrel won’t solve the flooding issue by holding back all the stormwater, but it’s a good start and it gets homeowners thinking about water conservation. Not only do rain barrels conserve water and control runoff, they can give you a good idea about the large amounts of stormwater that run off of impervious surfaces. A general formula is that 1 inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof produces 623 gallons of water. You can calculate the amount of water your roof generates by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and then
4
June / July 2013
dividing by 1,000. Depending on the area of your roof, a rain barrel can be filled with as little as one tenth of an inch of rain. The water in a rain barrel can be used to water lawns and gardens during dry periods. Plants thrive on it because rainwater does not have the chlorine, ammonia, fluoride, or other chemicals found in drinking water, which is what you are using when you attach your hose to your outdoor faucet. Rain barrels can also be arranged to slowly release the collected rainfall to areas that can soak up the water. This reduces stormwater runoff and increases groundwater recharge. Rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to operate and maintain. To learn how to make one, see the sidebar for a Rain Barrel Workshop.
Tips for using a rain barrel:
• D o not use collected water for drinking, cooking, or bathing. • Keep the lid secure so children and animals cannot fall into the barrel. • If a moss killer has been used on the roof, let a few rainfalls occur before collecting the roof runoff. • The screen will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your barrel. • Consider joining multiple barrels for additional capacity! • To get the downspout water into the rain barrel, you will have to cut or remove a portion of your downspout and install a downspout adapter. • Disconnect the barrel during the winter to avoid freezing and breaking of the barrel and its valves. • Drain the system and connecting hoses by leaving the drain of the barrel open or turn the barrel over to drain it. Store the barrel and hoses in a protected area. Visit the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District at www.co.warren.oh.us/ warrenswcd to learn about other ways to protect our water supply.
12 Reasons to Install a Rain Barrel
1. According to the EPA, most homeowners can save about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months. 2. Plants grow better in rainwater than chlorinated water. 3. You can use it to wash your dog. 4. Preliminary results from an EPA rain barrel study in a Cincinnati neighborhood are showing a 5 to 20% reduction in stormwater runoff. 5. Rainwater is especially good for exotic plants inside your home. 6. Save energy by decreasing the demand for treated tap water. 7. No water spots when you wash your car because rainwater is soft and untreated. 8. It’s wonderful for washing off muddy boots outdoors. 9. It’s handy for cleaning off garden tools. 10. It’s wonderful for washing windows. 11. It is still legal in Ohio to collect rain water. Collecting rain water is illegal in some states due to water shortages. 12. It’ll blend in with your house and landscaping if you paint your barrel to match.
Outdoor Water Saving Tips
• R epair or replace leaking hoses and sprinklers. • Always use an automatic shut-off nozzle. • Use a broom rather than a hose to clean decks, sidewalks, and other paved areas. Five minutes of running the hose uses 25 gallons of water. • Collect rainwater for reuse in the garden whenever possible. • Cover pools to prevent evaporation. An average uncovered pool loses about an inch of water a week because of evaporation.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Learn about and build your own rain barrel! Wednesday, June 19 • 6 to 8 p.m. Pine Hill Lakes Park Cost of instruction and materials (including a blue food-grade paintable barrel) is $45 to $67, depending on residency and Community Center membership. Participants will also receive a free 1-day family pass to Mason Community Center. Register for activity 432117 from May 17 to June 12 at www.imaginemason.org or by calling 513.229.8555. Presented by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.
S
2013 Sidewalk Replacement Program
ince 2007, Mason City Council has budgeted for an annual sidewalk replacement program. Each winter, staff members from the Engineering & Building Department evaluate city sidewalks and determine the streets that will be on the annual replacement program. Although sidewalks within the City of Mason are the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain per city ordinance, this assistance program is meant to preserve the safety and appearance of city sidewalks. Sidewalks on city streets that have the highest percentage of failing sidewalks are replaced at no cost to the property owner. In previous years, sidewalks have been replaced on Church Street, N. East Street, S. East Street, Short Street, Hanover Drive, Mason Hills Court, Overlook Drive, Kings Mills Road, and East Main Street. In 2013, the remaining sidewalk replacements will be completed on East Main Street and sidewalks within the Wood Creek subdivision will be replaced. The work is performed by the city’s Public Works Department. Construction will continue into the fall. For updates on this and all other road construction projects within the City of Mason, please visit the city’s website at www.imaginemason.org, call the city’s hotline at 513.229.8502, or follow City of Mason Engineering on Facebook or Twitter.
B
Uneven pavement due to settling is a trip hazard and raises safety concerns. The city’s Engineering & Building Department and Public Works Department are managing the sidewalk program.
Mason Economic Development and Assurex Health Host Bio Career Fair “The City of Mason has gone above and beyond in partnering with BioOhio for this event to deliver a world class venue and demonstrates a clear commitment to the bioscience industry,” noted Jen Goldsberry, Membership & Events Coordinator for BioOhio. The event included 12 top bioscience and biohealth company exhibitors and about 200 job seekers. Companies that were present included Advanced Testing Laboratory, Aerotek Scientific, Alliance Scientific, Amylin Ohio, Aptalis Pharmatech, Assurex Health, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Lab Support, Medpace, and Patheon Pharmaceuticals. Mason’s Economic Development Office used the opportunity to promote the bio and entrepreneurial activity happening in Mason and within Mason companies. Mason Community Center also had a presence at the event to promote the health and wellness assets of the city and provide tours of the community center. Assurex Health offered tours of the genomics lab in their offices in Mason Municipal Center.
Mason Matters
io health has been identified as a targeted sector for business growth in the City of Mason. This sector is heavily reliant on a highly skilled workforce and Mason has a reputation for being able to provide this talent pool. It was a logical extension, then, for the City of Mason’s Economic Development Office to partner with Assurex Health to co-host the Ohio Biomedical & Pharma Career Fair for the CincinnatiUSA region at Mason Municipal Center this spring. BioOhio is a statewide organization in the bio health sector and serves as a connector to over 1,350 bio-science related organizations in Ohio. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of company stages, ranging from start-ups and emerging stars to established research institutions and Fortune 500 companies. BioOhio is also a key strategic partner for the City of Mason as the city works to increase its presence and exposure to biohealth and health-related companies across the state. Mason and Assurex Health worked closely with the BioOhio team through a competitive location selection process to secure this unique event and set the stage to showcase the Mason Community Campus as a hub of innovation within the region.
www.imaginemason.org
5
T
Be on the Safe Side
here’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It is one of the most popular ways to cook food. However, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. Grills can be very hot and can cause burn injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, July is the peak month for grill fires and roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns. The City of Mason Fire Department encourages you to follow these simple tips and be on the safe side of grilling. • Use propane and charcoal BBQ grills outdoors—never indoors. • Place the grill well away from your home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the trays below the grill. • Never leave your grill unattended. • Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Charcoal Grills
• Th ere are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use: o Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as fuel. Place the starter on the charcoal grate inside the grill to start it. Use a hot pad mitt when dumping the hot coals out of the starter. o Starter fluid is popular, but be sure to use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and keep liquids away from the fire. o Electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire, are also available. If an extension cord is needed, be sure to use one rated for outdoor use. • W hen you are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
Propane Grills
• C heck the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. To do so, apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. You will see bubbles wherever there is a propane leak. • If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. • If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. • Do not move the grill once it is lit. • I f the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it. • If your grill ignites and is out of control, do not attempt to extinguish it. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stay Safe This Summer
T
Mason Matters
here are many pools and ponds in Mason and the surrounding area. The City of Mason Fire Department encourages you to practice safe habits in and around these bodies of water. The best thing anyone—both adults and children—can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Group and private swim lessons are available at Mason Community Center for people of all ages and abilities. For a safe summer, follow these water safety tips: • Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended. • It is a good idea to install a phone by the pool or to keep a cordless phone nearby so you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency. • Learn CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your children know CPR. CPR classes are available through the Mason Fire Department and Mason Community Center. • Enclose your pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than 4 inches wide.
6
June / July 2013
For complete safety requirements for pool barriers, electrical wiring around pools, and installation, please view www. imaginemason.org/PDFs/building/PoolGuidelines-2013.pdf or contact the Mason Engineering & Building Department at 513.229.8520. • Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. This could include a pole, rope, and U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs). • Keep toys away from the pool when they are not in use. Toys can attract children into the pool. • Completely remove pool covers prior to using the pool. • If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area. Visit www.imaginemason.org or look through the pages of CenterPoint for information about swim lessons and CPR classes. Registration can be done online, at Mason Community Center, or by calling 513.229.8555.
M
Mayor Congratulates Debate Team
ayor David F. Nichols presented a proclamation to the Mason High School Speech and Debate Team in recognition of its outstanding accomplishments. Team members discuss foreign affairs, public policy, and legislative procedure and perform persuasive, interpretive, original, impromptu, and dramatic oratory in regional, state, and national competitions. This year, twenty-six students received a qualifying bid to the state competition, a new team record. At the state level, six students qualified for nationals, a tie for the team record, and eight team sweepstakes awards were achieved. Of those, three were for Champion and three were for Runner-Up.
A
SAFER Grant Enhances Mason Fire Department’s Emergency Response
s a result of a $1.15 million federal grant awarded in October 2012, the City of Mason Fire Department expects to reduce training costs attributed to parttime employee turnover and improve the department’s consistency of service. The grant will help offset the costs of hiring nine fulltime firefighter positions for up to two years. These nine fulltime positions have traditionally been filled by part-time employees. Several years ago, consultants recommended that the department increase the percentage of fulltime firefighters to enhance the department’s consistency of service and to provide more supervision on emergency scenes. Traditionally, Mason Fire Department has operated with a daily staff of about half fulltime employees and half parttime employees. Like many area departments that depend on part-time employees, Mason was experiencing a turnover of about a quarter of its part-time firefighters per year.
I
As a result, the department found itself constantly training employees in basic orientation while also trying to keep up with industry changes. The consultant’s recommendation was to increase fulltime staffing to 85% in order to help maintain consistency in the department’s daily operation, to help reach national standards on staffing recommendations, and to enhance the department’s response. Internally, the department has set a goal of increasing the fulltime staffing level to 66 to 75% to judge the success of that model. The goal is not to increase the department’s daily staffing level but to continue to operate at current levels with more fulltime firefighters on duty and fewer part-time firefighters. The SAFER grant allows the Mason Fire Department to transition to this new model and also save the citizens of Mason tax dollars during the two-year period. Most of the salaries of these nine positions will be covered
by the grant. Further savings are expected because of the reduced need to continuously hire large numbers of part-time firefighters. In one year, Mason Fire Department spends an estimated $50,000 (not counting the parttime employees’ salaries) trying to maintain the 50% part-time employee staffing model. The grant has allowed the department to complete the changes recommended by the consultants that were approved by Council many years ago. Hiring of the nine SAFER grant-funded positions was completed in March. The city looks forward to continuing to provide the best service it can for the citizens and visitors in Mason. You are invited to stop by either of the Mason fire stations during business hours to inquire about the department’s public education programs, take a tour of the station, or talk with the firefighters. You can also find information about the department at www.imaginemason.org/services/fire.cfm.
Junk Vehicles Regulated by City Ordinance The ordinance also says that if a motor vehicle does meet two of these three requirements, it cannot be left outside of a garage or other suitable structure for more than 72 hours (3 days) unless it is completely covered with a cover that is not torn or deteriorated. If you have an issue with what you think is a junk vehicle in your Mason neighborhood, you can ask a Mason police officer to investigate. Please call the Warren County Communication Center’s non-emergency number at 513.925.2525 and ask to speak to a Mason officer. The officer will come out to assess the situation and to talk with the owner of the vehicle. Most of the time, this personal contact
gets the matter resolved. If the situation continues, the owner is sent a written notice requesting that the junk motor vehicle be removed, housed in storage or a garage, or covered with a tarp within 72 hours. If the owner refuses to comply, he or she can be issued a minor misdemeanor citation. Additional citations are misdemeanors after a previous conviction. If you’d like to know more, please reference the city’s Abandoned, Junk, or Unlicensed Motor Vehicles ordinance at www.imaginemason.org/ services/police/faqs-local-ordinances. cfm. www.imaginemason.org
Mason Matters
s it legal to leave an old car that no longer runs in the driveway? Is there something that can be done about the broken-down truck parked down the street? Who addresses these types of problems? The City of Mason has an ordinance concerning junk motor vehicles. For a vehicle to be considered a “junk vehicle,” the ordinance states that it must meet at least two of these three conditions: • The vehicle is three years old or older. • It is extensively damaged and the damage includes, but is not limited to, missing wheels, missing tires, or a missing engine or transmission. • It cannot be started and moved under its own power for a minimum of 100 feet.
7
Around
Mason
Mason Historical Society
Memorial Day Parade
Around
The annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27. It will start at the American Legion Post 194 Hall at 401 Reading Road, travel north on Reading Road to east on West Main Street, then turn right at Mason-Montgomery Road to Rose Hill Cemetery. A memorial service begins at Rose Hill Cemetery following the parade (about 11 a.m.). The parade and program are organized by the American Legion. New groups or individuals interested in participating in the parade are invited to call the American Legion Hall at 513.398.9962 after 3 p.m. for information. Registration is not necessary for parade participants. All parade participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Hall on the day of the parade to check in.
On Saturday, June 1, 2013, the Lebanon, Mason, and Monroe Railroad and local Mason businesses will sponsor the Rods & Rails Car Show to benefit the Mason Historical Society and its Alverta Green Museum. Registration for the show is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brazenhead Pub, 5650 Tylersville Road in Mason. The show begins at 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 4 p.m. at the close of the show. The entry fee is $15 and includes unlimited train rides for the driver and a guest, dash plaques, music, gifts, and fun. For additional information, please contact Rich Cox at 513.398.7921. Bring your family and friends to the annual Ice Cream Social at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Alverta Green Museum grounds, 207 W. Church Street. Everyone will enjoy unlimited Culver’s frozen custard, homemade desserts, and refreshments. Bid on your favorite cake or pie. There will be live music and our favorite auctioneer, Gene Steiner, who always makes the Cake and Pie Auction memorable! Mason will be celebrating its 200th birthday in 2015. We are making plans and are looking for volunteers. Please visit our website at www.masonhistoricalsociety.org. You can also “like” us on Facebook to keep current on Mason’s past.
Mason
Mason Middle School Science Olympiad Team Recognized
M
ayor David F. Nichols, center back, recognized Mason Middle School’s Science Olympiad Team with a proclamation. The 15-member team was formed in January, 2013. In just under two months, the team assembled science projects that earned the overall team third place in the regional tournament, qualifying for the state tournament. Collectively, the individual teams earned 19 medals in first through sixth place. Council Member Barbara Berry-Spaeth, far right, attended the competition and also congratulated the team.
Mayor Honors High School Science Olympiad Team
T Mason Matters
he Mason High School Science Olympiad Team was recognized with a proclamation from Mayor David F. Nichols in recognition of the team’s accomplishments over its 10-year history. The team placed first in the region eight of the ten times it participated and consistently places in the top 15 out of 60 of the state’s and nation’s best teams. Mayor Nichols, far left, and Council Member Barbara Berry-Spaeth, far right, congratulated the team.
8
June / July 2013