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City manager announces ODNR playground grant, water‑plant response and local project funding
Summary
City Manager Joe Denon told the March 25 council the city received an ODNR-administered inclusive-playground grant (about $430,000, conditional on federal review), reported a chlorine leak at the water plant that prompted a full safety response, and said the Dayton Avenue/Culbert project has $200,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
City Manager Joe Denon reported several operational updates to the Washington Court House City Council on March 25, including a conditional grant for an inclusive playground, a recent chlorine leak at the water plant and funding for a street project.
Denon said the city received an inclusive-playground grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and described the award as federal funds handled by the state; he called the award "a little bit more than $430,000" and emphasized the grant remains conditional pending federal review. "I want to thank ODNR for their support and the many motivated parents who worked diligently on this effort," Denon said.
On infrastructure, Denon said the Dayton Avenue/Culbert project has been funded with $200,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission and the city is coordinating with the county engineer. He also announced three hires in the service department and ongoing fleet-maintenance planning.
Denon reported a chlorine leak at the water plant that required a full safety response involving the fire department and volunteer departments; contractors performed bypass pumping and excavation to clear and repair a blockage. The city manager said staff performed well and the administration is "exploring changing chlorine cylinder distributors" to reduce the chance of recurrence.
From committees, Chief Downing and other staff described public-safety and community-engagement work in 2025, including school fire-safety education and tornado-siren testing. Sergeant Jeff Hines told the service-safety committee he wants city legislation to address e-bikes and micromobility safety — particularly for juveniles — recommending restrictions resembling moped licensing and parent-focused safety awareness campaigns.
What comes next: the administration will follow up on grant conditions, continue infrastructure coordination with ODNR and the county engineer, and consider recommended changes to equipment suppliers and public-safety ordinances.
