The governor has indefinitely closed or reduced acess to public facilities, sporting events, schools, colleges and universities, bars, restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, etc. for the past few days.
Local communities have issued emergency declarations and proclamations in response to the pandemic or have taken other precautionary measures to protect public employees and the community.
Most public access is closed at Middletown City Building
The city of Middletown will be closing public access to most of the city building at noon Wednesday as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic and to adhere to the Ohio Department of Health and CDC guidelines.
City spokeswoman Shelby Quinlivan said there will be limited face to face contact with city staff as the public will still be able to access the building lobby, the Municipal Court and the police station on the lower level. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.
All emergency services available and the 911 center remains in operation.
Other city services available remotely can be found at: www.cityofmiddletown.org /530/COVID-19-Community-Resources or by calling (513) 425-7766.
All other city services can be accessed remotely via email or phone.
In addition is the cancellation of all programming and services of the Community Building Institute at the Robert "Sonny" Hill Community Center, 800 Lafayette Ave., until April 6 pending COVID events. Officials said the measure has been taken in the best interest of its clients and employees. For more information, visit their website at cbimiddletown.org.
The senior center is closed but services are being delivered
Central Connections, the senior center in Middletown, may be closed for regular programming, but it continues to provide services to older adults.
On Tuesday, a crew of members, community volunteers, and staff packed 530 14-day shelf-stable meal boxes for the center’s home delivered meal clients in Butler and Warren counties — a total of 7,392 meals. Central Connections Executive Director Monica Smith said, “Older adults are the most vulnerable during this time of uncertainty, and their greatest need is food,” said Monica Smith, Central Connections executive director. “Our resources are stretched to provide meals for older adults. We realize most people cannot donate time, so we ask people to donate treasure by making a tax-deductible gift to Central Connections to help us maintain our home delivered meals program.”
Another food box packing effort will occur when another supply shipment arrives, according to the senior center.
Hungry for a taste of Middletown?
The city of Middletown and the Middletown Visitors Bureau have compiled a list of mostly downtown eateries that offer carryout and delivery service. The Middletown Visitors Bureau website has a link to those restaruants offering these options.
Keep Middletown Strong - support and buy from local businesses during the pandemic
In response to the corona pandemic and the impending impact on small businesses across the entire country, Middletown non-profit organization, Downtown Middletown Inc. decided to encourage people to shop and support local through their website, middletownstrong.com.
“Our downtown businesses have been the key to the revitalization of our downtown and impact the city in positive ways. For many, this is their dream and the uncertainty of the future really puts that dream at risk” states DMI Executive Director, Jeff Payne.
The team has gathered an easy to reference list of some common and unique ways to support small businesses, no matter your budget. With revenue being the lifeblood of any organization, purchasing gift cards, buying carry out food and drink and shopping on online stores are often most helpful. But so are other, less expensive options including sharing and promoting business social media pages, which allows them to gain better exposure and potential new customers.
Help fellow Middletown area residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Middletown Community Foundation, serving Franklin, Madison, Middletown, Monroe and Trenton recently announced its Board of Trustees would establish a Coronavirus Emergency Fund to provide grants to area nonprofits helping individuals and families adversely effected by the Coronavirus crisis.
Traci Barnett, MCF executive director, said “the Trustees have allocated an initial $50,000 in funding and will be asking community members to donate to the fund with the goal of reaching a minimum of $100,000. The process for area nonprofits to apply for the emergency funding will be streamlined, requiring only a one-page grant application. Decisions for grant funding will be made on a rolling basis, and the Foundation will keep the process nimble and efficient.”
Contributions to the Coronavirus Emergency Fund (CEF) should be made payable to the Middletown Community Foundation, 300 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Middletown, OH 45042. Indicate CEF in the memo portion of the check.
Donate online at www.mcfoundation.org.
City of Middletown Remote Services
Here is a list of remote services for residents and customers to utilize during the coronavirus pandemic:
Coronavirus info – Middletown Health Department: https://www.cityofmiddletown.org/272/Current-Events-Alerts
Utility Payments: The city has suspended disconnection for non-payment in order to give customers experiencing financial hardship extra time to make payments. Meters will still be read and bills will still be sent. A number of options are available for bill payment:
- Online: Visit www.invoicecloud.com/middletownoh and follow the prompts. You can make a one-time payment or set up monthly auto-payments. Additionally, customers can sign up for our pay by text option.
- Phone: Please call 855-967-0310; after selecting language preference, enter your account number to make a payment via electronic funds transfer, credit or debit card. Your Account Number can be located at the top right corner of your bill. If you do not have your account number or have any questions regarding your account, please press the star (*) key to speak with a representative.
- Drop-Box: Located outside the City Building, 1 Donham Plaza at the west end of the building between parking lots as well as inside the first floor lobby on the wall next to cashier windows.
Birth and death certificates: Orders for certified birth or death certificates can be placed by calling (513) 425-1818 and the certificate will be mailed to you directly. The Middletown Health Department can issue birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio and death certificates for only those that passed away within the City of Middletown. Phone orders will be accepted 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Funeral homes will receive a separate email from the health department with detailed instructions on protocols with filing death certificates and issuing disposition permits needed for burials.
Planning & Zoning Permit Applications: The zoning compliance permit application is located here. Please email the permit application and attachments to dept_planning@cityofmiddletown.org and a representative will be in contact with you once the permit has been reviewed. Review time for permits is up to seven days. The City Building Department processes all over-the-phone payments for the city. To pay over the phone, please call 513-425-7973. You can also mail the permit and the payment can be cash or check.
Permit applications can be mailed to:
Planning & Zoning
1 Donham Plaza, 2nd Floor
Middletown, Ohio 45042
If you are unable to email/mail your permit application, please contact the Planning & Zoning Department and they will work with you on an alternative submission.
Building Inspection: Building plans and applications not able to be submitted online can be dropped off on the third floor in the drop box in front of Building Inspection.
Tax Payments: You can reach the Tax Office at 513-425-7862 or email itax@cityofmiddletown.org for questions or assistance with your taxes. We will no longer be holding extended April hours as previously communicated on our website, social media, and utility bills. The tax filing deadline will remain April 15, however, late fees and interest for 2019 tax returns and payments due are being waived until May 15 at this time. Forms and instructions are available on the website at www.cityofmiddletown.org. Taxpayers can continue to mail their returns or drop their information in a drop box located in the lobby of the city building that reads "Drop Completed Tax Forms Here."
Municipal Court: Municipal Court will remain open and lobby access and elevator access will still be available to the first and third floors.
Middletown Division of Police: MPD will remain open and lobby access on the lower level will still be available. Fingerprinting for background checks has been suspended at this time.
Other city services available remotely can be found at: www.cityofmiddletown.org /530/COVID-19-Community-Resources or by calling (513) 425-7766.
Birth and Death Certificates: https://secure.cityofmiddletown.org/health/
or (513) 425-1818
Utility Payments: www.invoicecloud.com/middletownoh
or (855) 967-0310
Tax payments: https://cityofmiddletown.org/tax/
or (513) 425-7862 *Tax Account Number required
Court payments: https://court.cityofmiddletown.org/awc/Court/
Accident reports: https://crash.cityofmiddletown.org/
Property Code Concern: https://secure.cityofmiddletown.org/rfs/
Street Light Outage: https://secure.cityofmiddletown.org/publicworks/streetlights.aspx
Concrete Permits: (513) 425-7913
Cemetery Information: (513) 425-7913
Address Inquiry: (513) 425-7913
Report a pothole: https://secure.cityofmiddletown.org/publicworks/potholes.aspx
Regular updates on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMiddletownOH
https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-middletown
https://twitter.com/CityMiddletown
www.instagram.com/cityofmiddletownohio
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