Rick Combs
On January 1, 2015, I began my duties as Goshen Township Police Chief. In order to better understand the challenges and expectations, I met with local elected officials and numerous community leaders. Even today, I will stop and chat with folks or communicate on social media. A recurring and continuous theme of residents, (complaints really), was the numerous “unkempt and poorly maintained” properties.

In 2008, Goshen adopted a “Property Maintenance Code.” It has been reported that we were the first “non-home rule” township in Ohio to do so.

The “Code” regulates the condition and maintenance of homes and commercial properties.

Since that time (2008), enforcement of the code has been limited to part time efforts by a single township employee. It was not a priority as his full time job of maintaining township streets was very demanding. Enforcement included responding to citizen complaints and working though a mediation program at the county level geared toward a negotiated agreement of compliance. Routinely, months of meetings and lost opportunities resulted. We made little progress.

Since the beginning of this year, and, based upon the volume of complaints we receive and our observations, we have restructured our thinking by hiring a part time (20 hours per week) “Maintenance Code Enforcement Officer”. He will take complaints; investigate; talk with owners; explain the issues; use a written warning system; and, if compliance remains unresolved, legal action through Municipal Court rather than mediation.

Currently, the property maintenance program is administered through the police department. Our goal is to facilitate and assist in cleaning up Goshen. For those wishing to provide “anonymous” tips on property requiring clean up, please email Jeff.Prebble@Goshen-Oh.gov or call the police department during week days (722-3200) 8:30AM to 4PM and leave a message for Jeff Prebble. Our township web page has a link to email the township with complaints.

It is clear we all want to be proud of Goshen. I am excited to be a part of a community that believes in its future.