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Bellbrook manager outlines road‑calming, fiber‑boring oversight, water‑billing changes and public sessions on Issue 3
Summary
City Manager Rob told council the service department will deploy thermal overlays, rumble strips and rapid‑flashing signs at problem crosswalks; staff will pursue stronger permitting and penalties for utility boring mishaps; the city changed its mailing address for water payments and will hold public information sessions about Issue 3 in October.
City Manager Rob provided several infrastructure and operational updates at the Sept. 22 Bellbrook City Council meeting.
Road calming and safety: Staff has ordered materials for thermal overlays, rumble strips and rapid‑flashing signs at crosswalks where habitual speeding has been reported. Rob said the service department plans to install those improvements in roughly six to eight weeks and that the department has developed the ability to perform some thermal overlay work in‑house, which could reduce future costs.
Utility permitting and boring: With several recent incidents tied to horizontal‑directional drilling for fiber, staff said some contractors failed to follow agreed protocols. Rob said the city will strengthen permit conditions, consider penalties for contractors that damage city infrastructure, and require on‑site monitoring for contractors with prior mishaps. Legal staff will review options for enforcement and cost recovery for damaged infrastructure.
Water billing and mailing changes: Rob reminded residents that the city discontinued a post office box in January and advised customers who pay by bank check to update their bank records to the municipal mailing address. The city has waived many late fees during the transition but warned it will no longer routinely waive returns if a bank sends payment to an incorrect address. The administration encouraged residents to register online to receive email copies of bills and real‑time account status.
Public outreach on Issue 3: Staff said the city plans several public information sessions on Issue 3 (a proposed public‑safety funding measure on the November ballot). The first session will be publicized the day after the meeting and additional sessions — including a Saturday option — are planned for October. Rob said the sessions will be off‑site and in the council chambers so residents can ask questions outside the formal meeting setting.
Telecom installations: Rob said MetroNet has completed its primary work and UltaFiber and AT&T are active in town; contractors generally respond quickly to repair problems but the volume of activity is prompting a review of permitting and oversight protocols.
Rob said the administration will continue to work with residents to minimize service interruptions and to enforce higher standards where contractors repeatedly fail to follow protection protocols.
