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Public Works

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1. Why are my tax dollars spent on Austin Landing?

 Austin Landing is NOT funded by using resident's property tax revenues.The Austin Landing development does contain public roadways and a public park, but Miami Township Public Works staff does NOT perform work in Austin Landing. The public amenities are funded by using TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) revenues and JEDD (Joint Economic Development District) revenues. The site is under a maintenance agreement for the property's developer to fund, manage and maintain all private and public features including: roadway maintenance and resurfacing, curbs, pavement markings, cross walks, snow removal, street sweeping, sidewalks, traffic signals storm water systems, landscape and irrigation systems, recreational amenities and park maintenance. To find out more about where your tax dollars do go Click Here.

2. Am I allowed to have a basketball goal in or near the street?

Resolution #094-2018 established a rule that requires all recreational equipment, including portable and permanent basketball goals, located within the road right-of-way be removed immediately by the property owner. This equipment placed in or near the road poses a threat to pedestrian and motorist safety. An accident occurring in the road right-of-way due to illegal placement of basketball goals is the liability of the responsible party. A previous resolution passed by the Board of Trustees in 2006 also prohibited the placement of basketball goals within the road right-of-way. Please visit our Sports Equipment Nuisance Resolution page to read more information regarding this topic.

3. Who is responsible for sidewalk and curb repairs in front of my home?

The homeowner/ property owner is responsible for maintenance and repairs to his/her sidewalk, driveway, driveway approach, and curb. Miami Township is responsible for sidewalk aprons at roadway intersections.

4. Why does the snowplow driver push snow back in my driveway?

Safe passage of vehicles is the primary responsibility of the Road Department. All snow must be removed from public streets in order to achieve this responsibility.

5. Why doesn't the snowplow driver plow to the center of the street or cul-de-sac?

Plowing to the center of the street does not permit safe passage of vehicles and potentially prohibits large vehicles such as fire trucks and parcel delivery vans from maneuvering within the cul-de-sac.

6. What do I do if my mailbox is knocked over during a winter weather event?

Miami Township will repair or replace mailboxes that have been damaged as a direct result of the driver’s actions such as striking the mailbox with the plow. Some mailboxes are in a state of disrepair and the snow coming from the plow will knock the box off or knock the post down. If mailboxes are already in a state of disrepair and the weight of the snow causes damage to the mailbox, the property owner is responsible for making necessary repairs.

7. How do I report a pothole in the street?

Call the Road Department to report a pothole on a township maintained roadway. For a state or county maintained roadway, please call the respective department with the phone number listed on the main page. Road Department

8. Why did leaf crews collect in front of my house only 1 time this season?

While it may seem that you do not see leaf crews pass your property for long periods of time, please understand that the Township is 22 square miles with 90 miles of roadway. Crews visit every street in the township at least 2 times each season and try to complete each round within 10-15 business days. Visit our Leaf Collection page under Weekly Updates for an updated progress report. In 2012, the Trash Levy was voted down by residents and dedicated funding for leaf collection was eliminated. Modifications to the program were necessary to compensate for the levy failure.

9. Why did the township cut my leaf collection services?

Since roughly 1970 Miami Township had provided trash service and leaf collection through the support of two property tax levies. These levies covered the cost for household trash collection, leaf collection and material recycling services for Miami Township residents. In 2012, residents voted down one of the two levies which required the township to change the way it provides service.

As of June 1, 2013, the waste disposal program in Miami Township moved to a residential fee system. Contracts are negotiated by the township every three years (with two option years available) to secure the lowest rate for all residents of the community. Residents are billed directly by the waste hauler quarterly if they choose to have the service. Residents may opt out of the program by calling the waste hauler directly. Miami Township receives no compensation, franchise fees or benefits from this contract.

Due to the Trash Levy failure in 2012, the expenses to collect leaves are not reimbursed to the General Fund and are now an unfunded additional expense to Miami Township's budget. Modifications to the Leaf Collection program were necessary to minimize the negative monetary impact on the General Fund budget. The program's budget has been reduced from over $100,000 in 2009 to approximately $75-90,000 in 2014 and beyond. Reduction in funding resonates through a reduction in services, but the Public Works Department continually assesses operations to maximize efficiency. To find out more about the history of the trash levy and the current contract Click Here. 

10. What is considered the road right-of-way and whose responsibility is it?

The road right-of-way is land reserved for public purposes such as utilities, walkways, and drainage. Maintenance of the right-of-way, including turf and vegetation, is the responsibility of the landowner. The right-of-way in most residential areas is 10 feet from the edge of pavement or, in some cases, from the road edge to the backside of the sidewalk. All improvements or excavations within the right-of-way require an approved permit from the Road Department.

11. Who do I call for refuse collection scheduling and questions?

Contact Rumpke Customer Service at 1-800-828-8171.

12. My street was recently resurfaced. Why isn't it smooth?

Some streets in the Township are resurfaced with Slurry Seal instead of an asphalt overlay depending on the pre-existing conditions of the roadway. Slurry is initially more textured than a fresh asphalt overlay, but does eventually smooth out due to vehicle traffic.

13. What is Slurry Seal? Why does the Township use Slurry Seal?

Slurry Seal is a mix of small aggregate, emulsion, filler, and water applied with a truck mounted spreader box. Slurry applications correct small roadway deficiencies, provide a weather tight barrier, preserve asphalt pavement and improve skid resistance. Slurry Seal is a preventative maintenance product and extends the life of the asphalt pavement. The cost of Slurry is roughly one fourth the cost of an asphalt overlay. The Township has been using Slurry as a preventative maintenance product for more than 30 years.

14. Who is responsible for the roadway drainage system?

Miami Township is responsible for the storm water drainage system within the road right-of-way. Property owners are responsible for storm water drainage features outside of the road right-of-way.

15. Who do I call if the street is flooding?

If the street is flooding due to weather, contact the Road Department. If the street is flooding due to a water main break, contact the Montgomery County Environmental Services Department at (937) 781-2678. Road Department

16. Who maintains my sanitary sewer system?

The Montgomery County Environmental Services Department maintains the sanitary sewer system for Miami Township residents within the road right-of-way. Please call (937) 781-2678 to report suspected problems with the sanitary sewer system. Property owners are responsible for the system beyond the control of Montgomery County.

17. Do I need a permit for upgrades to my property?

The Road Department requires permitting for upgrades and excavations within the road right-of-way only. Permits that may be required for improvements beyond the right-of-way would be under the control of the Planning & Zoning Department or Montgomery County.

18. Who do I call for a water main break in the street or a damaged fire hydrant?

Contact the Montgomery County Environmental Services Department to report water main breaks and hydrant repairs at (937) 781-2678.

19. Who do I call for a street light outage?

Contact Miami Valley Lighting at 1-888-316-2393 for street light outages. Chautauqua residents should contact Cinergy at 1-800-262-3000.

20. Who is responsible for a tree down blocking in the road?

In most cases, the Road Department will cut up and remove a downed tree in the roadway to clear the obstruction for safe passage of traffic. The department is not permitted to enter personal property out of the right-of-way to perform work.

21. Who is responsible for maintaining trees and vegetation on my property?

Individual property owners are responsible for maintenance of all trees and vegetation including trees and vegetation within the road right-of-way. The Road Department does not permit the planting of trees within the right-of-way. Other vegetation planted within the right-of-way should not obstruct the view of traffic, traffic control signage or obstruct pedestrian traffic on sidewalks.

22. What do I do if I have a problem in my backyard?

The Road Department would be happy to discuss any problem property owners have in backyards, but crews are not permitted out of the road right-of-way to perform work.

23. Are Public Works employees really considered trained professionals?

Although not widely regarded in the eyes of the public as trained professionals, Public Works employees at Miami Township do complete routine formal/ informal training to hone construction skills and pursue educational opportunities to stay current to industry specific trends and techniques. Employees are Class A Commercial Drivers and some are certified through the State of Ohio in commercial pesticide application. Road Department employees complete Ohio Department of Transportation LTAP coursework, attend APWA (American Public Works Association) seminars and complete on-line coursework yearly. Each employee in Public Works has been certified in NIMS (National Incident Management System) training and CPR. Some of the Road Department staff participate in a leadership-in-training program to increase skills, expand knowledge and are challenged in entry level managerial situations to develop future leaders. Mechanics in the department hold numerous ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certifications.