The expansion of the DMAX plant, the retirement of the Brookville city manager, the hiring of an assistant city manager, Brookville voters approving government electricity and natural gas aggregation programs for the city, the hiring of a new Brookville High School principal, members of the Brookville and Perry Township fire departments and Brookville police officers honored in saving the life of an unconscious Brookville woman inside a burning house were among the news that took place in Brookville and Clay Township and appeared in the pages of The Brookville Star and The Register-Herald in 2023.

PART 2

JULY

July 5

• Brookville Police Major Tom Simon graduated from the FBI National Academy’s prestigious 10-week program for law enforcement personnel, held at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

July 12

• Council approved three resolutions toward the annexation of 113.562 acres of land located between Heckathorn Road and the Wolf Creek bike trail in Perry Township.

July 19

• The Clay Township trustees appointed Duane Heuker to an open trustee seat. Heuker replaces Mark Brownfield, who resigned as trustee to become the township’s fiscal officer.

July 22

• Brookville council approved a resolution allowing the city manager to submit a Montgomery County Community Development Block grant application for the purchase and installation of an inclusive playground in Golden Gate Park.

July 26

• Police and fire personnel who responded to the early morning June 16 house fire at 263 Foothill Drive where a 79-year-old woman was lying unconscious behind the door were honored. Receiving the commendation and lifesaving award from the Brookville Fire Department were Mike Hensley, Kyle Sewert, Megan Vaughn, Dave Copely, Dave Schmitt, Kaleb Broomhall, Chad Ferguson, Ridge O’Daniel and Gavin McGriff. Brookville police officers receiving the commendation and lifesaving award were Tim Beaver and Caleb Shatsby. Receiving the commendation and lifesaving award from the Phillipsburg Fire Department were fire chief Justin Saunders, Matt Rhoades and Chris Rowher.

Aug. 5

• Damian Kristof became the newest Brookville council member. Kristof, who was appointed to the seat by council after Jeff Requarth resigned, is the Dayton Metro Library Brookville branch manager.

Aug. 9

• Brookville planning commission approved a special use permit that will allow AT&T Mobility to construct a wireless telecommunications tower on property owned by the city at 245 Sycamore St.

• Brookville City manager Sonja Keaton informed council she plans to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for loans for the Hay Avenue Roadway (Phase III) and the Main Street waterline replacement (phase II) projects.

Aug. 10

• Brookville Planning commission approved an application from electric vehicle charging company Evgo that will allow for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the Brookville McDonald’s Restaurant’s parking lot.

Aug. 12

• The Clay Township trustees agreed to change the zoning of 6-2 acres of land on Brookville-Salem Road to allow for the construction of a QuikTrip gasoline/convenience store.

Aug. 16

• Steve Stanley, from the Montgomery County Transportation Infrastructure District (TID), the county department hired by the trustees to manage the project and serve as their negotiator, told Clay Township trustees the city of Clayton expressed interest in participating with the township and QuikTrip in a waterline project that would provide water access to the old village of Clayton.

• Brookville Local Schools Treasurer Sam Braun informed the board of education the district finished the fiscal 2023 school year in the black.

Aug. 19

• The Miami Valley Communications Council decided to seek bids from a natural gas supplier for its government aggregate program at a later time after receiving only one bid.

Aug. 30

• The 14th annual 5K walk to benefit the Pink Ribbon Girls organization was the last walk.

Sept. 9

• Sonja Keaton announced her retirement as Brookville city manager effective Feb. 9, 2024.

Sept. 20

• The Montgomery County Commissioners approved the annexation of approximately 113.562 acres of land located between Heckathorn Road and the Wolf Creek bike trail in Perry Township to Brookville.

Sept. 23

• Brookville High School Principal Jason Stephan spent a night on the school’s roof in an answer to a fundraising challenge involving students raising $2,229 for the Pink Ribbon Girls organization.

Oct. 4

• Brookville council approved the record plan for planned improvements at the Hay Avenue and Sycamore Street intersection.

Oct. 7

• The construction of walking paths are expected to begin in Golden Gate Park and Westbrook parks.

Oct. 14

• Clay Township voters are being asked to pass a police levy on the Tuesday, Nov. 7, ballot.

Oct. 18

• The park board approved the change in the location of the proposed amphitheater to be built in Golden Gate Park by Boy Scout Troop 47 from an area near the former BMX building to behind the Waffle House.

Oct. 25

• Brookville council is considering using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to repave two streets and replace curbing on Maple and Mound streets.

Oct. 28

• Brookville council approved three resolutions dealing with the proposed annexation of 85.611 acres of land on Upper Lewisburg-Salem Road in Clay Township.

• Brookville planning commission approved a preliminary recommendation of R-1A (suburban residential) zoning for the 113.562 acres of land located between Heckathorn Road and the Wolf Creek bike trail in Perry Township.

Nov. 8

• Brookville council approved a resolution that will assist Casey’s Marketing Company in obtaining liquor permits for a potential store in the city.

Nov. 11

• Newcomer Fred Garber will join incumbents Susan Steck and Tim Denlinger as a member of the Brookville Local Schools board of education next year.

• Newcomer Dennis Piper will join incumbents J.D. Fowler and Stephan Crane next year on Brookville council. Incumbent Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner, running unopposed, was re-elected to the position.

• Clay Township will have a new trustee after voters cast 1,279 votes for Kyle Groh and 1,151 votes for incumbent Steve Woolf. Clay Township trustee Duane Heuker ran unopposed and received 1,983 votes. Mark Brownfield, running unopposed, was elected township fiscal officer.

• Clay Township voters approved the policy levy with 928 yes votes to 508 no votes.

Nov. 15

• More than 100 Veterans, their families and friends and local dignitaries attended the annual Veterans Day ceremony hosted by Brookville Local Schools elementary students.

• Veterans attended a free luncheon, sponsored by the Brookville and Clay Township police departments, at Rob’s Restaurant, located at 705 Arlington Road.

Nov. 18

• Brookville council approved an emergency resolution that tentatively awards the contract for the North Wolf Creek water main replacement project.

• Brookville Fire Department Captain Chad Ferguson informed council the department successfully completed the fire prevention program.

Nov. 22

• The Clay Township trustees approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of five Getac cameras for the township’s police cruisers at a cost of $47,210. The trustees plan to use the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the purchase of the cameras from the Brite Company, of Victor, N.Y.

• Brookville council entered into a three-year agreement with Brookville Local Schools that will allow the continuance of the School Resource Officer program at the school. The three-year contract is retroactive to Aug. 1. The city and the school district will each pay 50 percent of the SRO’s wages and benefits over the three-year period.

Nov. 29

• The Brookville Local Schools board of education approved a resolution for the renewal of a .154 emergency tax levy that will generate $48,000. The board also approved a resolution for the renewal of a .80 permanent improvement levy. Both levies will be in effect for five years if approved by voters in the March 2024 election.

• The Brookville Local Schools board of education accepted the retirement resignation of Jeff Requarth as director of support personnel, effective Jan. 2, 2024.

Dec. 2

• Brookville council approved the record plan for the proposed Casey’s General Store and fueling facility to be constructed at 945 Arlington Road.

• Downtown Brookville was filled with people who attended the annual Christmas tree lighting event held at Gruenig Park at 120 Market St.

Dec. 6

• Brookville council approved the Parkview Commercial subdivision Section 3 record plan that will allow for the construction of a Hilton Hotel on land between Upper Lewisburg-Salem and Triggs roads.

Dec. 12

• Council gave it’s OK for the city manager to accept the funding and move ahead with the construction and installation of an inclusive playground in Golden Gate Park, located at 545 Upper Lewisburg-Salem Road.

Dec. 20

• More than 100 area residents attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony last Saturday at Arlington Ceremony in Clay Township.

• Brookville City Manager Sonja Keaton reported to council and the park board the drive-thru Christmas in the Park lighting display kick-off held Dec. 2 from 6-8 p.m. in Golden Gate Park, 545 Upper Lewisburg-Salem Road, was a success.

Dec. 23

• Brookville council voted to name Jack Kuntz as assistant city manager. Kuntz will serve as assistant city manager until Feb. 9 when he replaces city manager Sonja Keaton, who is retiring.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].