City of Wilmington Press Releases and Updates


Rombach Avenue Project Update – May 27, 2021


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2020

Wilmington addresses stormwater and wastewater issues

WILMINGTON, OH – The City of Wilmington is addressing a two-pronged problem with a multi-faceted solution.

Many people don’t realize there are two networks of pipes draining water from homes and businesses – one for wastewater and one for stormwater.

The sanitary sewer system collects wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers and tubs inside residences and businesses and delivers it to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Nelson Avenue. The storm water collection system drains rainwater and snowmelt from properties and streets, sending the flow to Lytle Creek and its tributaries. The two piping systems are not supposed to meet. Because of leaking pipes, improper connections, and other issues, a large amount of stormwater is getting into the sanitary sewer system.

Through careful study and planning, modernizing both the wastewater and stormwater systems will cost the average residential property around $6.00 for stormwater control and a 2.5 % rate increase for wastewater annually. This is the City’s first adjustment of wastewater rates in 12 years.

Contributing to the need for a system overhaul is the age and condition of the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was last rebuilt in 1988 and still uses components from the original 1937 plant. Integral portions of the treatment process are failing. “It has served our residents well, and is basically worn out,” said Public Works Director Rick Schaffer.

Until now, stormwater infrastructure expenses have been covered by the Wastewater Department’s budget. “At best, that was an inappropriate source of funding,” said Brian Shidaker, City Director of Public Service and Public Safety. “The City has needed to correct that situation for a long time.”

After years of discussion and study, City Council on September 3, 2020, approved the formation of a separate Stormwater Utility. That utility will begin collecting fees from residents and businesses in July 2021. The fee will be included on the same bill as water, wastewater, and trash services.

The fee will be based on the amount of impervious surface – like buildings, asphalt, and concrete – within a property’s boundary line.  An online database is being developed so residents and businesses can learn exactly how much their property will be charged. The database is expected to be ready by early November.

The stormwater fee will be used to shore up the piping system, identify improper connections to the sanitary system and complete other EPA-mandated activities. Over the past 20 years or so, at least 109 Ohio municipalities have implemented stormwater utilities, according to a Western Kentucky University survey.

To address the aging Wastewater Treatment Plant, City Council in 2018 commissioned a study that led to a master plan being completed this summer. The plan calls for a new treatment plant to be constructed on City-owned property – the former Textron facility – directly across Nelson Avenue from the current plant.

The large amount of stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system complicated the question of how large the new wastewater plant needed to be.

“To accommodate the large amount of rainwater currently entering the sanitary system, a huge treatment plant would be needed and a vast array of tunnels would have to be constructed throughout town,” said Schaffer. “That would have been extremely expensive and resulted in a large part of the City being torn up over the next 10 years or so. No one would have liked that combination.

“It became apparent that the stormwater problem needed to be attacked, to avoid the need for extremely large capital projects,” Schaffer said. “So, we presented the stormwater utility and the wastewater master plan concurrently – first to the Public Works Committee and then to full City Council – in August and September.”

Council approved a new wastewater rate structure that includes 2.5 percent annual increases starting January 1, 2021, and continuing through 2025. Annual increases of a similar size are expected to be needed for several years after that, Schaffer said, depending on the final cost of the new plant.

“The Wastewater Department employees have done an outstanding job of operating and maintaining the existing plant without the need for a rate increase for 12 years,” Shidaker said. “Many other cities have had average annual rate increases of 3 to 5 percent over that time.

“We are going to have a new plant at the end of this and will still have wastewater rates near the average for this part of Ohio,” he said.

The proposed plant would be designed to handle an average of 50 percent more water than the current one. It will also be better equipped to handle high-flow episodes, and can be expanded relatively easily, Schaffer said. City officials are currently seeking an engineer to begin the design process.

The stormwater efforts in combination with the wastewater plant will position the City for growth. “Removing the rainwater from the sanitary system has the effect of increasing the capacity of the sanitary system,” Schaffer said. “And with the larger treatment plant, Wilmington will have additional opportunities for new industry.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2020

WILMINGTON, OH – Very low levels of legacy chemicals have been detected in Wilmington water, City officials learned this week.

Ohio EPA, as part of an ongoing state-wide examination of every drinking water facility, tested for six types of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds. The sampling of Wilmington’s water occurred in July, and EPA notified the City this Thursday that two of the six types of compounds were detected in Wilmington water. The detected compounds are known as PFOS and PFHxS and are well below Ohio EPA’s Action Level for these chemicals.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in everyday items such as food packaging, nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and personal care products. These compounds have also been widely used in firefighting foams at military installations and fire training facilities. City Water Protection Coordinator Travis Luncan said, “The vast majority of PFAS exposure people experience come from things other than drinking water. But we are committed to ensuring our drinking water does not continue to be a source of PFAS.”

The compounds are most likely a legacy of the former military operations at the Wilmington Air Park. Rick Schaffer, Public Works Director, stated, “Some PFAS compounds don’t break down and have become pervasive throughout the environment. They are probably in the sediment of Indian Run and Cowan Creek, which are used to fill the City’s reservoirs at Burtonville.”

Tests for these types of chemicals were done about five years ago and none were detected in Wilmington water. The testing methods have become more sensitive since then, meaning the compounds can now be detected at levels about 10 times lower.

With the results of the most recent test being a fraction of the action levels, EPA is only requiring four more sampling events over the next year which would be used to develop an action plan to reduce contamination.

The City is being much more proactive, according to Schaffer.

“We received word of the results at about 10 am Thursday, and at 1:30 we had a call with a consultant that specializes in water treatment chemicals,” Schaffer said. “Based on the discussions during the call, we are confident we can adjust our current treatment to remove these compounds from the water.”

The dosage of one of the treatment chemicals was immediately doubled with the expectation of reducing the levels.

“In the next days and weeks, we will work with the consultant to find the most cost-effective way to remove these compounds,” Schaffer said. The current construction project underway at the water plant to address algal toxins will also be useful in removing the PFAS chemicals.

“We are also investigating the feasibility of doing more testing than the EPA requires to increase our confidence in the adjusted treatment,” Schaffer said. “There are only a few laboratories in the country approved to do this type of testing, and results are slow, so some patience will be necessary.”

PFAS testing results are posted for about half of the 1563 water utilities in Ohio. Detections have been found in about 40 water systems, including at least seven others in southwest Ohio, according to Ohio EPA data.

The results from Wilmington will be added to the site in the next 10 days or so.

PFAS chemicals are classified by the U.S. EPA as contaminants of emerging concern, meaning that research into the harm they may cause to human health is still ongoing. Ohio EPA and Department of Health developed a website with more information on PFAS, including health-related information and steps to reduce potential exposures. The web address is pfas.ohio.gov.

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2020

**HYDRANT FLUSHING PROGRAM** Starting Wednesday July 1, 2020

LOCATION – City-wide

WILMINGTON, OH – Beginning Wednesday July 1, the City of Wilmington Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the distribution system. This process is expected to continue for about six weeks.

The purpose of flushing hydrants is:

  • Improve the quality of water reaching customers.
  • Removal of sediment from water mains — before it hardens and adheres to the inside of the mains, which would reduce capacity and lifespan of the pipe.
  • Verify the functionality of the hydrant for fire protection.

Flushing will generally occur between 8 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday.

Customers may experience discolored water due to the hydrant flushing. Despite the color, the water remains safe to use. However, if this happens, run cold water for 15 to 30 minutes and the water should clear. If discoloration persists, call the water department at 937-382-3614.

The industry standard is to flush fire hydrants twice a year but was delayed this year due to the pandemic. More information on hydrant flushing is on the Water Department page of the city’s website www.wilmingtonoh.org.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2020

Wilmington Parks & Recreation Re-Opening Update and Information 

Below is detailed information regarding the re-opening status and safety guidelines for Wilmington Park and Recreation programs and amenities.

General Safety Guidelines for ALL park facilities and amenities:

  • Please maintain six feet of social distance from those not in your household. Please do not visit playgrounds, the splash pad or other park amenities if you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, including COVID-19.
  • Face coverings are not required but are strongly recommended at all park facilities.
  • Bring your own hand sanitizer and use regularly.
  • For your health and safety, high-frequency touch surfaces on play equipment are being disinfected weekly by park staff.

Park Amenities & Programs OPEN as of June 19, 2020

  • Parks, Trails & Bike Paths
  • Playgrounds, Castle Park & Splash Pad
  • Adult Outdoor Fitness Equipment
  • Restrooms
  • Dog Park
  • Fishing
  • Skate Parks
  • Tennis Courts
  • Baseball Fields
  • Soccer Fields
  • Shelters (walk up use only. No reservations allowed at this time and please limit to less than 10 people per shelter)

Re-opening date for the following is still pending. These amenities and programs remain closed until further notice:

  • Basketball Courts
  • Volleyball Courts
  • Youth & Adult Sport Leagues

Please contact the park office at (937) 600-2564 if you have any questions or concerns.

#InThisTogether

#ResponsibleRestart

#COVID-19


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2020

**Road Closure** East Main Street in Wilmington
Starting Thursday, May 28, 2020

LOCATION – East Main Street at the Indiana & Ohio railway crossing.

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announces a road closure at the railway crossing on East Main Street beginning, Thursday, May 28, from approximately 6:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The road will be closed to eastbound through traffic for six days.

The road closure is due to necessary repairs to the train track and rail crossing. The Indiana & Ohio Railway/CSX will perform the repairs.

During the construction, East Main Street will be completely closed to eastbound traffic near the intersection of East Main Street and Wall Street. Detours will be marked to enable local traffic to avoid the road closure. Truck traffic will be strictly prohibited on East Main Street during the closure. All trucks must use the 73 Bypass to travel through the City.

The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone. Questions regarding the closure may be made to the Office of the Director of Public Service, (937) 382-6509.

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2020

**City Street Paving Program** City of Wilmington

LOCATION – Multiple locations, City of Wilmington.

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announces commencement of spring paving beginning the week of April 13.

On Friday, October 18, the Board of Control awarded a contract for the 2019 Street Improvement Program to Fillmore Construction. This program marked the third stage of a multi-year street rehabilitation program for the city, originally designed to tackle substantial deferred maintenance issues. This stage of the street improvement program focuses the southwest and southeast quadrants of the City.

Through this contract the following streets are scheduled for partial or total full-surface repaving: Short Street, Josephine Street, S. Mulberry Street, Spring Street, Crestview Avenue, Sparta Avenue, Sylvan Drive, Woodland Drive, Wood Street, Sugartree Street, Westmoor Drive, Garden Circle, Easy Street, Glenwood Circle, Piedmont Street, Timber Lane, Wall Street, Hawley Avenue, Langdon Avenue, Truesdell Street, Clark Street, Fife Avenue, Linton Avenue, Reardon Avenue, Douglas Street, Short Street, Faculty Place, Elm Street, Lawnview Drive, S. Walnut Street, College Street, Center Street, Creekside Drive, John Street, Quaker Way, Alumni Circle, and Darbyshire Drive.

Paving locations are subject to change based upon field conditions. The improvements are scheduled for completion prior to June 2020.

The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near the work zones. Questions regarding the projects may be made to the Office of the Director of Public Service, (937) 382-6509.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2020

WATER TOWER REHABILITATION Starting Wednesday, April 15, 2020

LOCATION – Clinton County Fairground Water Tower

WILMINGTON, OH – The interior rehabilitation of the City of Wilmington’s water tower located at the Clinton County Fairgrounds is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The project is expected to last about four weeks, but the time frame for completion is very dependent on the weather.

The tower will be taken out of service for the duration of the work. While most customers should not see any effects during this project, a few could experience discolored water. If this should occur, run a cold water faucet for up to 30 minutes. If the water remains cloudy, call the water treatment plant at 937-382-3614. Personnel will be sent out to flush fire hydrants until the water clears.

This project will include replacing the coating inside the bowl of the tank. It is part of a six-year plan that runs through 2023 to rehabilitate both the interior and exterior of the city’s four water towers. The exterior of the Fairgrounds Tower was re-coated in 2018.

“A properly maintained water tower both preserves water quality and protects the investment the City and its residents have made in the water system,” said Public Works Director Rick Schaffer. “With regular maintenance, a water tower can remain in operation for 100 years or longer.”

As part of the normal procedure during tank rehabilitation, the inside of the tank will be intensively disinfected before being put back in service.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2020

**Rombach Avenue Project Postponed until Summer 2021**

LOCATION – Rombach Avenue

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announced Tuesday Phase 1 of the Rombach Avenue project will be postponed one year with construction delayed to begin during the summer of 2021.

“This is the best solution for both the City, the State, for our local businesses” said Mayor John Stanforth. “Delaying the project gives the state the financial flexibility to address needs in the healthcare system due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It also allows our businesses to be open for business when the healthcare crisis is over, without the additional interruption a large construction project brings.”

The project includes:

  • Repaving nearly 3 miles of Rombach Avenue and East Side Drive,
  • Construction of nearly 100 feet of new sidewalk plus a shared use path more than a half-mile long,
  • Installation of new, connected traffic signals with modern technology that will allow the signals to communicate with each other and adjust green times based on traffic flow,
  • Installation of new, highly visible pavement markings,
  • Replacement of the old water main in front of East End school, and
  • Crosswalk improvements at key locations throughout the corridor.

The Rombach Avenue Corridor Improvement project is funded through a combination of federal and state money in the form of a safety grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP),  a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Urban Paving Program, and a zero-percent loan funded through Round 34 of the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) infrastructure program.

Last week, OPWC announced that due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of reserving funding for hospitals and other emergency programs, Round 34 funding will not be automatically released in July as was planned. After communication with the City about how to move forward with this critical Rombach Avenue project, the State has agreed to allow the City to move the entire Rombach project into the next fiscal year, which means the improvements will be completed in the summer of 2021 rather than 2020.

“We appreciate the tremendous partnership with ODOT and their willingness to defer the Rombach project a year,” said Safety/Service Director Brian Shidaker. “Delaying the project will extend the opportunity for the significant OPWC funding to become available. The City may also realize unintended cost savings if the project is constructed during a time of better fiscal certainty.”

The City of Wilmington and Ohio Department of Transportation will continue to collaborate to develop a full, revised schedule for the Rombach Corridor Improvements. Updates will be released when available.


MARCH 20, 2020

WILMINGTON — The City of Wilmington has been vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 crisis and the guidance put out by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor Mike DeWine. The health and safety of our citizens, as well as our employees, are of utmost importance to us.

Mayor John Stanforth stated, “It is imperative that we continue to provide our services while ensuring we are doing all we can to preserve public health and follow the recommendations and requirements of Governor DeWine.”

Effective Monday, March 23, the City of Wilmington is initiating its minimum staffing operations plan to protect the citizens and its employees by practicing social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Employees reporting to work are participating in active monitoring protocol under the advisement of the Ohio Department of Health and the Clinton County Health Department.

During this time, critical city services such as police, fire, utility plant operations, refuse collection, etc. will remain in operations. Adjustments to scheduling and establishing remote work locations have occurred to assist in maintaining city services while reducing disruptions to citizens.

Mayor Stanforth continued, “I understand the critical situations our citizens are in. It is imperative we continue to provide the services the citizens rely on. I am aware that these changes cause a disruption to our citizens, but I believe these changes will help keep our public safer.”

Outlined below are the delays and disruptions that will occur while the city is operating at a minimum staffing level.

City Administrator Marian Miller stated, “These plans are changing and we are adapting to the directives and recommendations of Governor DeWine. We will continue to update the public so we can continue to serve them. We appreciate the patience and understanding that the community has given us.”

Safety Service Director Brian Shidaker added, “We are in uncharted territory and these plans are evolving day to day.”

Mayor Stanforth continued, “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people affected by this virus and we truly appreciate the First Responders and Healthcare workers on the front lines working hard to contain this pandemic.”

Auditor’s Office

  • Open with minimum staffing.
  • No in-person meetings or exchanges with the public at this time.
  • All services can be obtained via phone or email at 937-382-6604 or driley@wilmingtonoh.org

Cemetery

  • Open with minimum staffing.
  • Services available for at-need grave sale and burial arrangements only.
  • No public access to offices. All services can be obtained via phone or email at 937-382-2059 or sgcemetery@wilmingtonoh.org

Fire Department

  • No disruption in service.

Human Resources

  • Human Resources will be operating remotely.
  • All HR services can be obtained via email or phone at HR@wilmingtonoh.org or 937-382-9094
  • Applications for employment can be requested/obtained and submitted via email.
  • Any scheduled civil service exam will be rescheduled. Notification will be sent directly to each applicant scheduled to test.
  • BCI/FBI background checks will be unavailable during this time. This service will resume when Municipal Building returns to normal operations.
  • General Liability Insurance questions or concerns can be answered via phone or HR email.

Law Director/Prosecutor Office

  • No in-person meetings held with public at this time. Documents may be dropped off.
  • Open for law enforcement, lawyers, and municipal court employees.
  • Open to receive phone calls at 937-383-2067.

Maintenance & Repair:

  • On call and dispatched as needed for urgent situations.
  • Public may call Mayor’s office or Service Director’s office to utilize M&R dispatch.

Mayor’s Office

  • Open with minimum staffing and alternating remote workers.
  • No in-person meetings held with public at this time. Documents may be dropped off.
  • All services can be obtained via phone or email at 937-382-5458 or mayor@wilmingtonoh.org.
  • Please be patient, delays expected.
  • All Community Room reservations cancelled until the Municipal building returns to normal operation. Refunds will be given.

Municipal Court

  • Open for new arrests only. All cases currently scheduled will be rescheduled.
  • Clerk of Courts office operating as normal.

Parks & Recreation

  • Open with minimum staffing and alternating remote workers.
  • No in-person meetings held with public at this time. Documents may be dropped off.
  • Suspended group sports for 3 weeks.

Police Department/Emergency Dispatch

  • No disruption in service.

Safety & Service Director’s Office

  • Open with minimum staffing and alternating remote workers.
  • No in-person meetings held with public at this time. Documents may be dropped off.
  • All services can be obtained via phone or email at 937-382-6509 or publicservice@wilmingtonoh.org
  • Please be patient, delays expected.

Sanitation

  • Minimum staffing – supplemented with M&R if needed.
  • Invoice customers only to prevent handling of cash.
  • Suspended recycling program, bulk item pickup and brush pickup.
  • To help keep sanitation workers safer, please ensure all trash is bagged within the receptacle.

Treasurer’s Office/Income Tax

  • Open with minimum staffing
  • No in-person meetings held with public at this time.
  • Payments and tax returns may be submitted through:

— Mail: Income Tax Bureau P.O. Box 786 Wilmington, OH 45177

— Drop box inside the tax office(South Street door)

— Online payments, via the Income Tax page at www.wilmingtonoh.org

Assistance is still available via phone at 937-382-1880

Transit

  • Will continue to follow ODOT’s guidance.
  • Limited operating hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • No front-seat passengers, effective immediately.
  • Critical transport only — such as doctor appointments, pharmacy, and grocery stores.

Public Works

  • Utility Billing closed to public and operate under minimum staffing.

Payments may be made through:

— Mail: Utility Billing Office, 69 N. South St. Wilmington, OH 45177

— Drop box just inside the City Hall South Street door

— Online, via the Utility Billing page at www.wilmingtonoh.org

  • Assistance is still available via phone at 937- 382-5711

Sewer /Water

  • Per Homeland Security Act of 2002 and Presidential Policy Directive-21, Water and Sewer Departments must maintain normal work schedule.
  • Source Water Protection working remotely.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2020

Media Contact:

Marque Jones, Tax Commissioner
937-383-5552

Income Tax Bureau Coronavirus Policy

LOCATION – 69 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio 45177

Wilmington, Ohio – To help slow the spread of coronavirus, the City of Wilmington Income Tax office will remain closed to walk-in customers for the duration of the emergency. This closure goes into effect Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

We ask that you use these alternative options to file your city taxes or to make payments.

Payments and tax returns may be submitted through:

  • Mail:
    Income Tax Bureau
    P.O. Box 786
    Wilmington, OH 45177
  • The drop box inside the tax office. (South Street door)
  • On-line payments, via the Income Tax page at www.wilmingtonoh.org

We can also limit the communal spread by assisting you via telephone conversation Phone: 937-382-1880

RELEASED BY

Marque V. Jones
Tax Commissioner
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-383-5552

mjones@wilmingtonoh.org


March 16, 2020

Utility Billing Office Coronavirus Policy

LOCATION – 69 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio 45177

Wilmington, Ohio – To help slow the spread of coronavirus, the City of Wilmington utility billing office will remain closed to walk-in customers for the duration of the emergency. This closure goes into effect immediately.

Payments may be made through:

  • Mail:
    Utility Billing Office
    69 N. South St.
    Wilmington, OH 45177
  • The drop box just inside the City Hall South Street door
  • On-line, via the Utility Billing page at www.wilmingtonoh.org

Requests for other services can be made by calling the Utility Billing Office at 937‑382-5711.

RELEASED BY

Rick Schaffer
Public Works Director
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-383-5882

rschaffer@wilmingtonoh.org


PRESS RELEASE

December 18th, 2019

The City of Wilmington is temporarily postponing the meter change out program. This comes after the City’s Water Department was notified by Fathom, the company in charge of the program, that they are ceasing business operations nationwide. Administration is working through what its legal rights and guarantees are while reviewing the financial impacts this change creates.

About a year ago, the City contracted with Fathom, an Arizona-based company, for various performance and metering upgrades, including an upgrade of all 5,000 meters in the system to be able to be automatically read; eliminating the need for meter readers, and modernizing the utility billing office operation.

The project began this summer, but all of the meter exchanges were not completed before Fathom’s ceasing of operations, scheduled for Tuesday, December 17. About 3,000 meters have been fully installed. “The good news is that of the installed meters, 98 percent of them are reporting into the system,” Rick Schaffer, Wilmington’s Public Works Director, said, “so the automated read system is working quite well.”

The departure of Fathom, which has been in business more the 20 years, came as a surprise to the City. “Dozens of cities across the country have been using Fathom.” Schaffer said. “I talked to several of them, and they gave glowing reviews.”

With Fathom pulling out of the project, utility billing operations will continue to be performed as it has been, as the City seeks new bids from meter installation companies for the exchange of the remaining meters.

“We will get this project completed as soon and as efficiently as possible,’ said Brian Shidaker, Director of Public Service. “From preliminary reviews of other industry solution offerings, I am confident we will complete the project as intended, still modernizing our metering and billing operations, but with different vendors.”

Customers with questions may call the utility office at 937-382-5711.


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1st, 2019

Ron Cravens

Mayor John M. Stanforth appoints a new Police Chief.

On Friday, Mayor Stanforth announced the promotion of Sargent Ron Cravens to Chief of Police.

Sargent Craven’s promotion becomes effective Monday morning, November 4, 2019. He will be honored in a Swearing in Ceremony on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

“Sargent Cravens has performed in an exemplary manner his entire career but particularly when I asked him this January to fill the Chief’s job duties in the interim. Throughout his career he has assembled the experience, training and education, and knowledge of the agency, the community, and our interagency partners to lead the department into the future,” said Mayor Stanforth. “His promotion to Chief is the result of years of discipline, hard work, and integrity.”

Sargent Cravens began his career with the City of Wilmington in 1999 in the Wilmington Dispatch Center. He then graduated from the Basic Police Officer program at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in 2001 and began his law enforcement career with Wilmington Police Department in November 2001.  Sgt. Cravens previously served honorably in the United States Marine Corp. where he separated as a Sergeant from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

When speaking of his appointment to the position, Sargent Cravens stated, “I am honored to have been afforded the opportunity to be the Chief of Police for our great city. Wilmington is where my wife and I live and raise our family. He also noted of his Police Department, “Our staff will focus on reducing crime and improving the quality of life issues for our community. The majority of my career has been in serving our nation and our community. I feel fortunate to continue that service with the exceptional members of this department as we continue to protect and serve the City of Wilmington.”

Sergeant Cravens is the ninth Chief of Police for the Wilmington Police Department following the resignation of Chief Duane Weyand in February.

RELEASED BY

The Office of the Mayor
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-382-5458
mayor@wilmingtonoh.org



PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2019

Media Contact:

Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
937-382-6509

**City Street Paving Program**

City of Wilmington

LOCATION – Multiple locations, City of Wilmington.

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announces commencement of the fall 2019 street paving program.

On Friday, October 18, the Board of Control awarded a contract for the 2019 Street Improvement Program. This program marks the third stage of a multi-year street rehabilitation program for the city, originally designed to tackle substantial deferred maintenance issues. This year, the program focuses on the southwest and southeast quadrants of the City and includes both street resurfacing and crack sealing. The first phase of the contract will begin on Monday, October 28, and will continue through mid-November, weather permitting. A second phase will commence in the spring, with an anticipated completion date before June 2020.

The contract for the street improvement project was awarded to Fillmore Construction. Through this contract, the following streets are scheduled for partial or total full-surface repaving: Short Street, Josephine Street, S. Mulberry Street, Spring Street, Crestview Avenue, Sparta Avenue, Sylvan Drive, Woodland Drive, Wood Street, Sugartree Street, Westmoor Drive, Garden Circle, Easy Street, Glenwood Circle, Piedmont Street, Timber Lane, Wall Street, Hawley Avenue, Langdon Avenue, Truesdell Street, Clark Street, Fife Avenue, Linton Avenue, Reardon Avenue, Douglas Street, Short Street, Faculty Place, Elm Street, Lawnview Drive, S. Walnut Street, College Street, Center Street, Creekside Drive, John Street, Quaker Way, Alumni Circle, and Darbyshire Drive. In addition, the contract includes crack sealing treatment to approximately 50 city streets.

The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near the work zones. Questions regarding the projects may be made to the Office of the Director of Public Service, (937) 382-6509.

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2019

Media Contact:

Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
937-382-6509

**Wilmington Leaf Pickup Program**

Begins on October 28

LOCATION – City of Wilmington

Wilmington, Ohio –The City of Wilmington will begin its Leaf Pickup Program on Monday, October 28, weather permitting. City workers will begin picking up leaves in the Southwest Quadrant of the City and will proceed clockwise through City neighborhoods.

Crews will spend approximately one to two weeks in each quadrant. The quadrants are defined as follows:

Southwest Quadrant – South of W. Main St./West of S. South St. (Southridge, Timber Glen, Truesdell)

Northwest Quadrant – North of W. Main St./West of  N. South St. (Lakewood, McDermott Village, Wilmington High School)

Northeast Quadrant  – North of E. Main St./East of N. South St. (N. Lincoln, N. Walnut, Denver Edition, Rombach Ave.)

Southeast Quadrant – South of E. Main St./East of S. South St. (Wilmington College, Southeast Neighborhood)

Leaves should be raked to the edge of the curb (between the curb and sidewalk).  DO NOT RAKE YOUR LEAVES INTO THE STREET. Leaves in the street contaminate stormwater runoff and also block catch basins and cause flooding.

PLEASE REMOVE BRANCHES, ROCKS, TRASH, OR OTHER DEBRIS FROM LEAF PILES. Branches and other debris mixed in with the leaves damage the equipment and will create delays in the collection process.  

Please have all portable basketball rims removed from street edge and curb line to expedite the collection process.

The City is making two rounds through each quadrant. Leaves in the alleys will be picked up at the end of the second round.  Inclement weather will affect the pickup schedule, so changes in the schedule are likely to occur.

The most up to date information can be found on the City of Wilmington website at www.wilmingtonoh.org or contact the Streets Department at (937) 382-6339.

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker

Director of Public Service

City of Wilmington

69 N. South Street

Wilmington, OH  45177

W:  937-382-6509

bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 26, 2019

Media Contact:
Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
937-382-6509

Water Meter Upgrade in Progress in Wilmington

LOCATION – City-wide

WILMINGTON, OH – The City of Wilmington water meter upgrade project is now underway. The meter upgrade is part of modernizing the utility billing customer service for residents. Letters and postcards have been sent to all customers explaining the process.

During the upgrade, all customers will receive new metering equipment and most will receive new meters. Approximately 20 percent of residents will have their current meters retrofitted. This new equipment will allow for automated, hourly readings of water consumption.

Customers whose meters are currently in outside pits will not have to be involved in the equipment change-out process. A day or two before the change, a door hanger will be left at the property. Upon arrival at the property, the technician will knock on the door to inform the customer that water will be shut off for up to an hour.

Customers whose meters are inside their home or business will need to make an appointment for a technician to complete the equipment update. Appointments are generally available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Evening and/or Saturday appointments will be made if necessary. Most appointments will last an hour or less.

Customers will receive correspondence through the mail that contains specific information on whether appointments are necessary and information needed to make them, including unique coding assigned to each property.

Please note, installation technicians will carry City identification badges and their vehicles will be marked as a City of Wilmington Water Department contractor.

The state-of-the-art technology is being installed at no cost to the customer and will enable customers to monitor up-to-date water usage. Information on accessing usage and account data will be sent to customers when that system is ready, which is currently scheduled for late October.

The City appreciates residents’ accommodations as we make this transition to help better manage our collective water resources. If you have any additional inquiries, please contact us at the Utility Billing Office (937) 382-5711, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4p.m.

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177
937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


Water Meter Upgrade Project

August 26, 2019
The City of Wilmington water meter upgrade project is underway. Letters and postcards have been sent to all customers explaining the process.

All customers will receive new metering equipment. Most will receive new meters. About 20 percent will have their current meters retrofitted. The new equipment will allow for automated, hourly readings of water consumption.

Customers whose meters are in outside pits will not have to be involved in the equipment change out process. A day or two before the change, a door hanger will be left at the property. Upon arrival at the property, the technician will knock on the door to inform the customer that water will be off up to an hour.

Customers whose meters are inside their home or business will need to make an appointment for a technician to complete the equipment update. Appointments are generally available 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Thursday. Evening and/or Saturday appointments will be made if necessary. Most appointments will last an hour or less.

The mailings contain specific information on whether appointments are necessary and information needed to make them, including unique coding assigned to each property.

Installation technicians will carry City identification badges, and their vehicles will be marked as a water department contractor.

The state-of-the-art technology is being installed at no cost to the customer and will enable customers to monitor up-to-date water usage. Information on accessing usage and account data will be sent to customers when that system is ready, which is currently scheduled for late October.

We appreciate your accommodations as we make this transition to help better manage our collective water resources. If you have any additional inquiries, please contact us at the Utility Billing Office (937) 382-5711, Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm.


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2019

Media Contact:

Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
937-382-6509

Wilmington joins growing number of communities adopting
FATHOM’s Smart Grid for Water

LOCATION – City-wide

WILMINGTON, OH – The City of Wilmington is modernizing its utility billing customer service for its residents through a partnership with FATHOM, using its Smart Grid for Water.

Phoenix, Ariz.,-based FATHOM has been guiding small- to medium-sized cities across the country in using proven, cutting-edge technology to improve operations and service to the customers for a decade. The Smart Grid for Water was developed by a water utility in Arizona to maximize its resources and customer service. The lessons used led to FATHOM offering the services to other utilities.

“This exciting, long-term partnership will allow the city to run our utility services more efficiently while providing customers with tools to easily manage their accounts and usage,” said Wilmington Mayor John Stanforth.

Background work began in January, and the entire project should be completed before winter. The modernization will includes many facets:

  • Updated, more accurate, water meters for nearly all Wilmington water customers.
  • An automated meter read system that will eliminate the need for city personnel to enter private property for this task.
  • An overhauled utility billing system, which includes using FATHOM’s Smart Grid to validate data and ensure all customers are billed accurately and fairly.
  • A web-based system for customers to monitor usage along with other tools.
  • The ability for customers to sign up for alerts of unusually high usage, possible leaks in household plumbing, and other anomalies.
  • An automated service order system to allow the City respond to customer’s problems more efficiently.

“We have recognized the need to update our metering and billing system for the past couple years, but needed a proven partner who could help complete this project without requiring a rate increase, and we found that partner in FATHOM,” says Brian Shidaker, Wilmington Safety-Service Director.

Customers will soon receive notifications about the meter change-out process. No new wiring or plumbing, except in rare instances, will be needed. The change will be made at no cost to the customer.

The City’s existing water metering system will be upgraded to state-of-the-art infrastructure by another long-time FATHOM and Wilmington partner, Master Meter. This upgrade will deliver 720 meter reads per month for every meter, and eliminate the need for City staff to obtain manual meter reads. This technology will deliver real-time information to drive decision making, and real-time analytics to proactively identify costly issues such as water leaks and even water theft.

The new system will address discrepancies in the City’s billing system and provide an easy-to-use customer portal for residents to access their account information 24/7, see water usage data, pay bills, view payment history, and sign up for alerts and notifications. With alerting capabilities, the City expects to reduce the number of bill adjustments required and help customers avoid unexpected high bills. With FATHOM, Wilmington customers will have more ways to pay their bill and receive proactive reminders to pay – reducing the risk of having services disconnected.

“We are excited to partner with FATHOM to deliver excellent service to our residents and receive critical, real-time data and analytics to drive important decisions about the future of affordable water in Wilmington,” said Water Superintendent Rick Schaffer.

“The Smart Grid for Water was developed to better manage capital investment, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service when we owned utilities,” said FATHOM President and Chief Growth Officer, Jason Bethke. “Today, we look forward to delivering The Smart Grid for Water to the City of Wilmington to help them become a more sustainable community. We are delighted that Wilmington has decided to join our growing community of innovative water utilities,”

RELEASED BY

Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177

W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Update

July 11th, 2019

Caesar Creek Lake visual of algae in water.

This year a number of Ohio lakes and reservoirs are experiencing potentially harmful algal blooms (HABs). Caesar Creek Lake has also been experiencing a significant HAB event that began in early June. The cyanobacteria that causes the HAB, also referred to as blue green algae, can produce toxins in the lake water. Wilmington Water Department’s treatment process is able to remove a certain amount of algal toxins, producing drinking water that exceeds all EPA water quality standards. We also have the ability to switch to a backup water source. In mid-June, as a precautionary measure, we switched to our backup water source which has not been experiencing the HAB event.

Though we are not currently pulling water from Caesar Creek Lake we continue to monitor water quality in the lake. We monitor lake algae and cyanobacteria populations, algal toxin levels, remote sensing imagery and water chemistry on a regular basis. The monitoring has shown that the cyanobacteria has persisted in the water.

Wilmington Water also works with stakeholders to develop source water protection strategies that will help to combat the HABs. If you would like additional information on our source water protection program contact us at tluncan@wilmingtonoh.org or call (937) 382-3614 to speak with the source water protection coordinator.

The following webpage from the Ohio Department of Health offers good information on HABs.

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/harmful-algal-blooms/resources/habs-in-ohio

Travis Luncan
Source Water Protection Coordinator
City of Wilmington
Water Treatment Plant
(937) 382-3614  Office
(937)-302-0618   Cell


UTILITY BILLING CUSTOMERS

July 2, 2019

Due to a system update, services at the utility billing office may be reduced on Wednesday July 10 and Thursday July 11, 2019. Messages left on the phone system will be followed up on as promptly as possible. Payments left in the drop box will be processed normally.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Rick Schaffer, Superintendent
Water Treatment Plant/Water Distribution
City of Wilmington
1142 Prairie Avenue
Wilmington, Oh  45177


PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2019

 Media Contact:
Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
937-382-6509

 **Wilmington Recycling**
Recycling Service Temporarily Suspended
Effective Immediately

LOCATION – City of Wilmington

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announces there will be no curbside pickup for recyclables on Thursday, June 20, and Friday, June 21. The disruption in service is due to necessary equipment maintenance. Curbside recycling will resume its regular schedule on Monday, June 24. All other trash pickup services will continue as normal. If your recycling pickup day is this Thursday or Friday, please hold your recyclables until your next regularly scheduled pickup day.

The City appreciates residents’ patience while the equipment is repaired and we return to full operations.

For questions regarding the trash pickup or recycling programs, please contact the Wilmington Sanitation Department at (937) 382-6474.

RELEASED BY
Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
City of Wilmington
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, OH  45177

W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2019

**PUBLIC MEETING** Rombach Avenue Project
April 18, 2019  5:30 p.m.
LOCATION – Moyer Community Room, Wilmington Municipal Building, 69 N. South Street

Wilmington, Ohio – A second public meeting to discuss proposed improvements along the Rombach Avenue Corridor will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Robert Moyer Community Room of the Wilmington Municipal Building.

The City of Wilmington is in the planning stage of designing roadway improvements along Rombach Avenue. To better serve the needs of the public, the City is soliciting feedback regarding the proposed roadway project. The purpose of the meeting is for the City of Wilmington to collect feedback from interested citizens and business owners regarding their concerns and desires for Rombach Avenue. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the project with key staff. Also, and more importantly, attendees are encouraged to submit their comments in writing via a comment sheet that each attendee will receive at the meeting.

If you are not able to attend but would still like to provide your input regarding future improvements on Rombach Avenue, you can obtain a survey form by contacting the Office of the Director of Public Service at (937) 382-6509 or by email at publicservice@wilmingtonoh.org. The survey is also available online on the Municipal Services page of the City of Wilmington website: https://wilmingtonoh.org/municipal-services/.

The comment period ends at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 19.

RELEASED BY
Brian A. Shidaker
Director of Public Service
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2019

**HYDRANT FLUSHING PROGRAM** Starting Monday, April 15, 2019

LOCATION – City-wide

(WILMINGTON, OH) – Beginning Monday, April 15, the City of Wilmington Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the distribution system. This process is expected to continue for about six weeks.

The purpose of flushing hydrants is:

  • Improve the quality of water reaching customers.
  • Removal of sediment from water mains — before it hardens and adheres to the inside of the mains, which would reduce capacity and lifespan of the pipe.
  • Verify the functionality of the hydrant for fire protection.

Flushing will generally occur between 8 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday.

Customers may experience discolored water due to the hydrant flushing. Despite the color, the water remains safe to use. However, if this happens, run cold water for 15 to 30 minutes and the water should clear. If discoloration persists, call the water department at 937-382-3614.

The industry standard is to flush fire hydrants twice a year — in the spring and fall. More information on hydrant flushing is on the Water Department page of the city’s website www.wilmingtonoh.org.

RELEASED BY
Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2019

 **SUGAR GROVE CEMETERY SPRING CLEAN-UP** April 22 – May 6

LOCATION – Sugar Grove Cemetery

Wilmington, Ohio – The City of Wilmington announces that Sugar Grove Cemetery will be conducting its Annual Spring Clean-up from April 22 to May 6. While flower arrangements and other grave decorations are a popular way to honor friends and family that have passed, those items can become weathered and worn. During the cleanup, items that are on the ground will be discarded: decorations, flowers, statuaries, plaques, solar lights, etc. Any worn, faded, or holiday-themed flowers and trinkets on the grave monuments will also be removed and discarded.

If you have any decorations or personal items you wish to save, please remove them from the cemetery grounds by Sunday, April 21. You may return items to Sugar Grove Cemetery after May 6.

The Spring Cleanup enhances the cemetery’s appearance and prepares Sugar Grove for the summer mowing season.

In addition, Sugar Grove Cemetery is releasing updated guidelines for gravesite decorations. The rules can be found by visiting the Sugar Grove webpage on the City of Wilmington website:  https://wilmingtonoh.org/municipal-services/sugar-grove-cemetery/. You can also request a copy of the rules by emailing sgcemetery@wilmingtonoh.org or by calling the Sugar Grove Cemetery office at (937) 382-2059. The City encourages patrons to review these guidelines prior to placing items at the gravesites.

The City of Wilmington appreciates the public’s assistance as we continually work to beautify Sugar Grove Cemetery.  If you have questions regarding the spring clean-up schedule or the updated grave decorating policies, please contact the Sugar Grove Cemetery staff at (937) 481‑1927  or the Cemetery Office at (937) 382-2059.

RELEASED BY
Brian A. Shidaker, Director of Public Service
W:  937-382-6509
bshidaker@wilmingtoh.org


UPDATED – DETOUR CHANGE

March 13, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2019

Road Closure/Culvert Replacement – North Nelson Avenue
Starting Monday, March 11, 2019

LOCATION – North Nelson Avenue between Woodside Drive/Country Oaks Lane and Community Drive.

(WILMINGTON, OH) – The City of Wilmington announces the closure of North Nelson Avenue beginning on Monday, March 11, 2019, for 45 days, weather permitting. The closure is located at the culvert between Woodside Drive/Country Oaks Lane and Community Drive, approximately 250 feet south of the Senior Services/Community Action Program facilities, within the Wilmington city limits.

The road closure is due to a culvert replacement project. The project will also include pedestrian improvements, with new sidewalks being constructed on the west side of Nelson Avenue between Woodside Drive and Community Drive. Fillmore Construction will perform the work for the City of Wilmington.

During the construction, North Nelson Avenue will be completely closed to traffic between Woodside/Country Oaks and Community Drive. Detours will be marked to enable local traffic to avoid the road closure.

The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone. Questions regarding the closure may be made to the Office of the Director of Public Service at (937) 382-6509 or by email at publicservice@wilmingtonoh.org.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2019

City Implements New Directive

WILMINGTON- The City of Wilmington recently implemented a new directive following an incident that occurred August 23, 2018. On that day, Richard Stewart was stopped by the Wilmington Police Department for allegedly violating a protection order. During the investigation, an altercation occurred.

Although the incident occurred last summer, city administrative officials, including Mayor John Stanforth, learned of the severity of the incident in January after gaining access to the video evidence via the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office. The officer involved in the incident, Jerry Popp, resigned in November after Warren County Sheriff’s Department concluded the internal investigation.

Stewart remains incarcerated in the Clinton County Jail on unrelated probation violations.

“What is on the recording is disturbing and inconsistent with our values and with the rules and procedures of the City of Wilmington and its police department,” Mayor John Stanforth said today. The inability for police leadership to communicate the severity of departmental situations and behaviors to city administration led Mayor Stanforth to order a new policy. In addition to an active BCI investigation, Stanforth ordered a new policy for responses to resistance and aggression reporting. Acting Chief Ron Cravens has created a new directive within the department, including additional reviews on use of force incidents and a mandatory notification procedure to city administrators.

Following the incident, other officers present during the altercation reported the incident and their concerns to police department leadership, Stanforth said. A review of the video in January by city administrators demonstrated that police department policy and procedure were not followed. “We are grateful to the officers who spoke up and condemned this behavior. We are actively taking steps, including remedial training and enhanced directives, to ensure no repetition of this ever occurs.”

Police body cameras were introduced by the city in 2016, said Stanforth. He credited the technology with providing crucial information for the ongoing review. “Body cameras provide protection for our citizens and officers alike.”

Inquiries:

City of Wilmington
Mayor’s Office
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
937-382-5458
media@wilmingtonoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2019

Wilmington Police Chief Submits Resignation

WILMINGTON – Wilmington Police Chief Duane Weyand will resign effective March 31, Mayor John Stanforth announced today.

A memorandum of understanding between the city and Weyand was signed Monday outlining the terms of his separation. Consistent with city benefit guidelines, the agreement does not include any monetary settlement exceeding that allowed by city policy.

Weyand joined the Wilmington Police Department in 1996, and was promoted to police chief in 2012 following a lengthy tenure as assistant chief, Stanforth said.

Weyand’s resignation comes in the wake of ongoing criminal investigations into the actions of a number of other WPD officers and staff.

“While the chief is not the subject of a criminal investigation, the city will continue to review existing policies and procedures to understand the challenges and inconsistencies in the department,” said Stanforth.

All department employees under investigation have either resigned or been placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of investigations. Stanforth also said the internal review of departmental procedures will continue and is expected to wrap up later this year.

Inquiries:

City of Wilmington
Mayor’s Office
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
937-382-5458
media@wilmingtonoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 27, 2019

On February 14th, 2019 the Wilmington Police Department responded to the reports of several houses and vehicles spray painted with red paint. Due to the large quantity of effected homes and property, additional officers arrived to assist with photographing and taking reports from victims involved. There was extensive damage, from siding and pillars on homes, to entire sides of vehicles with explicit language and hate speech.

The Wilmington Police Department identified 13 victims to this crime. An extensive investigation was conducted, resulting in criminal charges for Brook Britain, age 19, of New Vienna, Ohio. Britain was incarcerated in the Clinton County Jail on February 15th, 2019 for unrelated incidents pertaining to her current probation with the Clinton County Municipal Court.

On February 26th, 2019, Britain was issued two criminal citations that will be processed by the Clinton County Municipal Court. Britain has been charged with one count of Criminal Damaging; Ohio Revised Code 2909.06 (A)(1), a misdemeanor of the 2nd Degree and one count of Ethnic Intimidation; Ohio Revised Code 2927.12, a misdemeanor of the 1st Degree.

Many of the messages were targeted at the individuals who lived at the addresses vandalized and were hate speech with racial or religiously charged comments. Mayor John M. Stanforth commends the Wilmington Police Department for their good work and, while he is disappointed an event as this occurred, he is proud of the community’s overwhelming response in condemning this type of language and behavior.

Britain is currently incarcerated in the Clinton County Jail.

Disclaimer: All individual(s) contained in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries:

City of Wilmington
Mayor’s Office
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
937-382-5458
media@wilmingtonoh.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2019

Road Closure/Culvert Replacement – North Nelson Avenue
Starting Monday, March 11, 2019

LOCATION – North Nelson Avenue between Woodside Drive/Country Oaks Lane and Community Drive.

(WILMINGTON, OH) – The City of Wilmington announces the closure of North Nelson Avenue beginning on Monday, March 11, 2019, for 45 days, weather permitting. The closure is located at the culvert between Woodside Drive/Country Oaks Lane and Community Drive, approximately 250 feet south of the Senior Services/Community Action Program facilities, within the Wilmington city limits.

The road closure is due to a culvert replacement project. The project will also include pedestrian improvements, with new sidewalks being constructed on the west side of Nelson Avenue between Woodside Drive and Community Drive. Fillmore Construction will perform the work for the City of Wilmington.

During the construction, North Nelson Avenue will be completely closed to traffic between Woodside/Country Oaks and Community Drive. Detours will be marked to enable local traffic to avoid the road closure.

The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone. Questions regarding the closure may be made to the Office of the Director of Public Service at (937) 382-6509 or by email at publicservice@wilmingtonoh.org.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 15, 2019

Officer Under Investigation Resigns

(WILMINGTON) – Wilmington Police officer Anthony Mitchell resigned today. In January, Mitchell was placed on administrative leave by Mayor John Stanforth pending completion of a criminal investigation.

Stanforth said the resignation comes in the wake of the city’s decision to seek a pre-disciplinary hearing for Mitchell to address his alleged failure to follow departmental rules and procedures. Mitchell’s resignation now forestalls additional administrative sanctions against Mitchell.

Mayor Stanforth expressed his thanks to Clinton County Sheriff Ralph Fizer and the department’s deputies who have assisted the city in covering the local schools as resource officers while the city is in transition.

Mayor Stanforth said that efforts to replace Mitchell will begin immediately. “The city of Wilmington is budgeted for a full force of police officers, and I intend to work vigorously to fulfill the expectations of our residents.”

“Our actions will protect the integrity of our police department and support the important work they do for all of us,” said Stanforth. “We rely on the hard work and good faith of all the men and women who work for the City of Wilmington, and as disappointed as I am in the actions of a few, I’m satisfied that we are addressing the issues carefully and expeditiously.”  Mayor Stanforth stated that he is proud of the WPD’s ability to serve our community dutifully and faithfully during this challenging time.  Their collaborative efforts will serve us well as we rebuild.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2019

Source Water Protection Meeting

The City of Wilmington Water Department has launched a source water protection program to help ensure its residents continue to have viable sources of clean drinking water.  The first step in this program is to create a plan to determine the best ways to prevent contaminants from entering the water supply.  The City invites volunteers from the community to participate in the development and execution of the plan.

Wilmington utilizes Caesar Creek Lake and Cowan Creek for its water sources.  Stakeholders will work to identify factors threatening water quality, develop strategies to address water quality concerns and collaborate on projects that work to improve water quality in both water bodies.  Those interested in participating are invited to attend a kickoff meeting will be held on Thursday February 21st from 10-11AM in the Wilmington Municipal Building Community Room, located at 69 North South Street, Wilmington.

Inquiries:
Wilmington Water Department
Travis Luncan, Source Water Protection Program Coordinator
tluncan@wilmingtonoh.org
(937) 382-3614


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2019

Following the advice of the City’s legal counsel, Brett Geary with Clemons and Nelson, Wilmington Mayor John Stanforth announced that Police Chief Duane Weyand was placed on administrative leave Tuesday pending the outcome of investigations of department personnel and a review of internal procedures.

The decision comes in the wake of four separate investigations now underway involving three current officers, a former patrol officer, and an administrative

assistant. The investigations are ongoing at this time.

“The city of Wilmington takes all allegations of misconduct against employees very seriously, which is why we have sought independent investigations into allegations against our officers and staff,” said Stanforth.

Stanforth said separate investigations of alleged misconduct involve police officers Josh Riley and Anthony Mitchell, who are on administrative leave, former officer Jerry Popp, and Anna Collins, the department’s administrative assistant, who has also been place on administrative leave.  The city has further been advised by legal counsel not to discuss specific allegations against employees until the completion of investigations.

Stanforth said that Sgt. Ron Cravens has been appointed acting chief. A department employee since 1999, Sgt. Cravens was named “Officer of the Year” in 2017. “We depend on our police department to help provide a safe environment for the community, and the city is committed to protecting the integrity of our department and the faith and trust that our citizens place in it,” said Stanforth.

Inquiries:
City of Wilmington
Mayor’s Office
69 N. South Street
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
937-382-5458
media@wilmingtonoh.org

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