Four Oxford homeowners voiced their opposition to a resolution passed during city council’s Jan. 20 meeting about constructing a new sidewalk, which would impact the properties of nine homeowners on Olde Farm Road.
The resolution was introduced alongside another resolution to repair existing sidewalks. These resolutions only describe the need for construction and estimate associated costs; further legislation is needed to finalize costs and contracting.
The homeowners said they learned about the resolution in an Oxford Free Press article and during the meeting said they were upset they weren’t contacted directly.
Other complaints included the project’s estimated $153,000 price tag. The council suggested the city pay half of the costs, and the homeowners pay the other half. Three of the nine affected homeowners are retirees with fixed incomes. The large cost primarily covers removing mature maple trees, a feature that the homeowners value highly. The homeowners see the sidewalk as unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible.
“Let’s use that money elsewhere,” Oxford homeowner Chip Murray said. “Anywhere else.”
Mayor Michael Smith informed the homeowners that the sidewalk was proposed because a visually-impaired resident could not leave the neighborhood without walking with his guide dog in the street. The homeowners said they were not previously aware of why the sidewalk was proposed.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Wastewater treatment plant updated to follow EPA regulations
Service Director Michael Dreisbach presented a resolution to install equipment and chemicals into the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Water entering the treatment plant contains phosphorus at levels of five milligrams per liter of water. In order to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s goals of one milligram per liter, special equipment is needed: Phosphorus will be removed from the water, solidified and then can be used as fertilizer. The cost of the installation will not exceed $659,945.
Mayor’s court established in Oxford
Council approved an ordinance establishing a mayor’s court in Oxford that will handle misdemeanors, traffic violations and municipal ordinance infractions committed in Oxford. The Oxford courthouse was previously used as the Area I court for Butler County and heard cases for six townships in Butler county. The Area I court for Butler County will be moved to Hamiliton, and the new mayor’s court will allow some proceedings in Oxford for convenience to residents.
The mayor's court will use an appointed magistrate to sentence defendants who plead guilty. Defendants who plead not guilty will be scheduled for a trial. The establishment of the mayor’s court requires the hiring of a magistrate, a clerk and a prosecutor. The cost of these hirings will be partially offset by fines collected from the court.
Councilor Jim Vinch, who has more than 20 years of legal experience, assured that the mayor’s court would not be used to excessively fine residents to raise funds.
Vinch said in the past, the courts have received criticism because some abuse the system and use it as a money-generating enterprise.
“Under normal circumstances, I would raise more concerns over the formation of a mayor’s court,” Vinch said, “but I fully trust in the City of Oxford that the mayor’s court will not be operated in that way; City council will maintain oversight over the court.”
Preliminary micro home community subdivision approved
Council approved a preliminary subdivision for a 16-micro home community. It will help provide affordable housing for Oxford citizens because the homes are designed to be owned by people with low or fixed incomes, including the growing population of homeless people aged 55 and older.
At least four of the homes will be specifically earmarked for individuals or families with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The planned subdivision has been supported by the Oxford Housing Commission and Oxford Area Solutions for Housing.
“This supports our very important goal [of supporting affordable housing], and it's something that we’ve worked toward for a long time,” Councilor William Snavely said.
City council will meet again on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford Courthouse.
Read More
ASG passed budget, hears from University Senate
By Shannon Mahoney | YesterdayAssociated Student Government (ASG) welcomed seven new senators during its first meeting of the spring semester on Tuesday evening.
The lands we walk on: Learning from land grants
By Gabriel Slark | 5 days agoIn 1809, the Ohio Legislature granted Oxford township a land grant to establish Miami University on a six-mile by six-mile plot of land, or 23,040 acres.
