News from BG: June 22, 2022
Home Pool & Hot Tub Safety

69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near water –
learn how to reduce the risks by reviewing safety tips from the Red Cross.

Secure Your Pool When Not in Use:

  • Completely surround your pool with four-sided isolation fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate that is out of the reach of a child.
  • A four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.
  • For above-ground pools, secure, lock or remove steps, ladders and anything that can be used for access (such as outdoor furniture and toys) whenever the pool is not being actively supervised by an adult.
  • Install a secondary barrier, such as:
  • Door alarms and locks that are out of the reach of a child on all doors and windows with direct access to the pool or spa area
  • Lockable covers
  • For further details, consult the pool barrier guidelines issued by The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Establish and Enforce Rules and Safe Behaviors:

  • Do not enter head first unless in a pool that has a safe diving area.
  • Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction.
  • Swim with a buddy.
  • Only swim when supervised by a water watcher.
  • Swim sober.
  • Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.

Take These Water Safety Steps:

  • Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
  • Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
  • Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.

Historic Building of the Month

The Historic Preservation Commission would like to continue the excitement started in May with National Preservation Month by highlighting a historic site or building each month.  For the month of June, it seems the perfect timing to highlight the City of Bowling Green Police Building at 175 West Wooster Street as the Historic Building of the month. Why the perfect timing? City Council is holding a public hearing on June 21 at 6:30 p.m. to review the recommendation to add this building (along with Needle Hall in City Park) to the Local Historic Register.
This building was built in 1892-1893 to be used as the town hall. The brick Romanesque-style building with the tower (102 feet tall) and open belfry were reflective of the prosperity of this timeframe of the gas and then oil boom. Architect David L. Stine, located in Toledo, designed the structure. It cost $30,000 and it served as the County Courthouse from 1894 to 1896 while the current County Courthouse was under construction on Court Street. The building was used for City offices (until the 1970s), along with the Fire Station and Police Station. The Police Department solely operated out of the building once a Fire Station was built on Thurstin Avenue and Court Street in 1984.

The building is also characterized as having a high stone foundation and the words “City Building” have been carved out of the stone at the front entrance. The west elevation retains the 3 large bays, formerly used to store fire equipment. The building was extensively remodeled in the mid-1980s, with the replacement of the east and south walls. However, the original front walls remain that face South Church Street and West Wooster Street. The building is truly an iconic building in the downtown and the City has been proud to maintain this building and its rich history of serving citizens for many decades. Nominate your favorite Historic Building here: Historic Building Nomination Form.
Just Chillin' Slow Roll
June 26, 2022

The City of Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission will celebrate summer with a community bike ride. June’s slow roll, titled Just Chillin’, will meet on Sunday, June 26th, at 2:00 PM. Participants should meet at the City Pool Parking Lot, located at 520 Conneaut Ave. This leisurely ride will include a stop for ice cream courtesy of the Sundae Station. Upon completion of the ride, all riders will receive a free one day pool pass to the City Pool!

Rides are free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. Each rider is required to wear a properly-fitted helmet and ride a correctly-sized bicycle in safe, working mechanical order. It is highly recommended that young riders, who are still learning to ride, participate via a tow behind trailer or child bike seat. These rides are meant to be more recreational in nature and will travel at a speed comfortable for all riders.

While designed for fun and exploration, monthly rides will also stress the importance of safe riding practices and responsibilities of riders while navigating city streets. Multiple trained leaders will facilitate the ride to ensure that all riders complete the route, including providing assistance for mechanical or personal issues that may arise. More Slow Roll...
Community Festival and Fireworks Seeks Volunteers

Need community service hours? Want to help a local organization host a fun holiday event? With the Independence Day holiday weekend fast approaching, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce seeks fun and festive volunteers to help with the BG Boom Community Festival and Fireworks on Sunday July 3, at the Wood County Fairgrounds. Volunteer activities are in two-hour micro shifts so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the activities. If you are interested in volunteering please go to the BG Chamber's Website and click on the volunteer link.

Now more than ever, the entire Bowling Green community is asked to join together to provide its citizens of all ages with a festival and fireworks they will never forget. Volunteering requires just a small amount of your time, but would provide many others with lasting memories of the best festival and fireworks in Northwest Ohio!  
Tips for Reducing Utility
Bills During Warmer Months

In the last few years, we have experienced some of the hottest summers on record. Air conditioning is one of the largest users of electricity in a house. If your air conditioner is running 24/7, some of your highest electric bills of the year will occur between June and September. Installing a pool will result in an increase in electric (and water) usage. Extreme heat and dry conditions can also lead to an increase in water usage for landscaping.

First, look closely at the utility bill to determine where the increase has occurred. The utility bill contains the amount owed for electric, water, sewer, and the refuse & recycling fee. In most cases, the increase in charges is a result of a higher usage in electricity or water. During extremely hot periods in the summer months, air conditioning, poor insulation, and pool filters/heaters can result in higher electric usage. Watering lawns and landscaping during dry periods will also increase the amount of water used.

Read through next month's Utility Insert (PDF) for suggestions on ways to reduce your utility bill during warmer months.
PROJECT DELAYED!
Oak St./City Administration Building Parking Lot Closure: June 13th - 28th
**Due to supply chain issues this project has been delayed. The estimated start date is now June 27th. This release will be updated with a firm date when supplies arrive.**

In order to relocate a combined sewer, in preparation of the construction of the new City Building, Oak St. will be closed and vehicle access to the City Administration Building Parking Lot will be blocked June 13th – June 28th.

Those visiting the City Administration Building should park in the north section of the Wood County Library’s Parking Lot or in Public Parking Lot #4. Pedestrian access to the City Administration Building will be maintained via the crosswalk/sidewalk at Oak and Church. Concrete barriers will be placed along the sidewalk for safety.

As the work progresses, the Church St. and W. Oak St. intersection will be closed to through traffic for a few days within the June 13th – 28th timeframe. A lane closure on Main St. will also be necessary.

The timeframe of this closure is dependent on weather and progress of work. Crews will be working 10-hour days and Saturdays to complete this portion of the project as quickly and efficiently as possible.