City of Marion

With the approach of the July 4^th holiday and due to a significant uptick in illegal fireworks complaints, the Marion Police Department wishes to proactively remind residents that the use of 1G fireworks (inclusive of firecrackers, bottle rockets, etc.) is illegal according to Ohio Revised Code section 3743.65 (B).

“Many Ohio residents find it confusing that you can legally purchase these fireworks in Ohio but it is illegal to set them off in Ohio,” said Marion Police Chief Bill Collins. Chief Collins added that residents who purchase 1G fireworks in the State of Ohio are required by law to take the fireworks out of the State of Ohio within 48 hours of purchase.

 Quick Facts According to the 2018 Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Annual Report

• There were 121 non-occupational fireworks related deaths between 2003 and 2018
• 9,100 people were injured due to fireworks related incidents in 2018.
• Between June 22nd and July 22nd of 2018, there were 5,600 emergency room visits related to fireworks.
• Children 15 and younger accounted for 37% of Emergency Room visits.

Fireworks, particularly in the hands of untrained persons pose multiple safety risks to the person using the fireworks, but also to others nearby. Numerous injuries are caused by malfunctioning or improperly altered fireworks which can often result in unintended explosions of a serious nature. Also, the consumption of alcohol or use of drugs while handling fireworks significantly increases the risk of injury and/or death. Additionally, fireworks pose a fire hazard to nearby areas, particularly during dry spells with infrequent rains.

Chief Collins also points out that beyond the dangers of fireworks, they also cause an unwelcome noise disturbance for many who live in our community. Chief Collins states, “We hear from our complainants that they have dogs that are agitated and disturbed. Some have loved ones with PTS (post-traumatic stress) who indicate that the sudden and loud noises can be a triggering event for them. Others simply complain that they need to work in the morning and the sound disturbs their sleep”.

Regardless of their motivation, the simple reality is that 1G fireworks as defined by the Ohio Revised Code are both dangerous and illegal. As a result, the Marion Police Department will actively enforce all relevant sections of Ohio law and Marion City Ordinance relating to the illegal possession or lighting of illegal fireworks.

This educational release should serve as the only warning that will be issued relative to the use of illegal fireworks in the City of Marion. Those charged with a first offense fireworks violation are subject to a First-Degree Misdemeanor charge which carries a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail and the confiscation of any contraband fireworks.

For more information relating to fireworks in the State of Ohio, please visit the Ohio Department of Commerce/ State Fire Marshal FAQ page at https://www.com.ohio.gov/fire/FAQ.aspx.

As a result of the Independence Day holiday falling on Saturday, July 4, 2020, the federal observation of the holiday will occur on Friday, July 3, 2020.  Therefore, Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing the following closures for the City of Marion on Friday, July 3:

Necessary services, including fire, police, and airport, will operate as usual.

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing that Lincoln Park Aquatics Center will not open for the 2020 season. 

This decision is coming about due to the Responsible RestartOhio protocols that were issued by Governor Mike DeWine.  Through the various protocols and requirements issued through the State, the total capacity for the number of individuals permitted at the Aquatic Center has been significantly reduced this season, while at the same time requiring increased staffing levels to ensure compliance with cleaning, disinfecting, and safety-related portions of the protocol.

Schertzer stated, “This decision has come after extensively reviewing the Responsible RestartOhio protocols, the increased staffing to meet the required protocols, as well as the monetary impact this will financially have on the City’s general fund.  Enforcing social distancing as required by the Responsible RestartOhio protocols would be difficult, if not impossible.  To require children to remain six-feet apart is not practical, especially while in the pool.  Additionally, it is not realistic to think we could enforce many of the requirements included in the protocol.  I met with Parks Superintendent Mike Cheney to review information and we feel that managing our pool within the guidelines established is still a high risk, not in the best interest of our community, and would be fiscally irresponsible for us to open the Aquatics Center at this time.”

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing that City Hall will be opened to the public beginning on Monday, June 1, 2020.  The mayor has indicated that the safety and security of our residents and employees is of utmost importance while the City moves forward; as such, the City will be adhering to the guidelines and protocols that have been presented by the State of Ohio.

Following is information regarding changes that will be taking place at Marion City Hall as it is re-opened to the public:  

• Effective Monday, June 1, 2020 for a two-week period, City Hall will be open to the public on a shortened schedule.  Hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; while the building will be open on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Beginning June 1, the only entry to City Hall open for public access to the building will be the front entrance.  Any individual entering the building, with the exception of those paying a utility bill or requesting the service of Police Records, will be required to wear a face covering, have their temperature checked, and go through a security screening process.  The security screening process was mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court.

• Mayor Schertzer has indicated that all Boards and Commissions under his appointment may resume meeting; however, the protocols listed below are being given as guidelines for each Board and Commission:        

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing that City Departments will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

• Departments in City Hall will be closed on May 25, 2020.

• The Sanitation department will not collect trash, recycling, or yard waste on Monday, May 25, 2020.  Residents who normally have sanitation service on Monday are asked to have their collections at curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26.  Crews will be collecting refuse for both Monday and Tuesday throughout the day on Tuesday, May 26, with the possibility that part of Tuesday’s collection could extend into Wednesday, May 27.

• Marion Area Transit will NOT operate on Monday, May 25, 2020.  Normal hours of operation for bus service will resume on Tuesday, May 26.

• Marion Senior Center continues to be closed as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Contact the Senior Center (740-387-6100) for transportation options that are available through the center.

Necessary services including fire, police, and airport will operate as usual.

The City of Marion is announcing that weekly curbside yard waste collection for the 2020 collection season will begin on Monday, May 4, 2020. 

Due to the delay in the start of this year’s yard waste program, the City is asking that residents be patient with its crews as they catch up on the collection of yard waste bags that have been and will be set out for collection.  Once crews have caught up with the back log, yard waste collection will move to its normal schedule with pick-up occurring on the day following each resident’s regular trash collection day (example: Friday trash pick-up - Monday yard waste pick-up).  Note: Residents with an excessive delinquent sanitation and sewer account balance are not eligible for curbside pick-up of yard waste.

At this time, crews will collect all yard waste bags that residents have set out for collection.  However, once crews have caught up with the back log from the delay in the start of this seasons program, the City will return to its limit of 3 bags and/or 3 bundles of limbs/branches that will be collected from each residence per week during the 2020 yard waste season.  Branches must be tied in bundles no larger than 2 feet in diameter and 5 feet in length.  As in the past, the City will not collect grass clippings as yard waste material at curbside.

Residents are encouraged to drop off grass clippings and yard waste materials, free of charge, to Outdoor Resource Supply (formerly Park Enterprise), which is located at 560 Barks Rd. W. (between S. Prospect St./Rt. 4 S. and the Barks Rd. overpass).  Requirements for grass and yard waste drop off are:

1. Must stop at office or other designated location where verification of City residency (i.e. license, utility bill, etc.) may be required.
2. Items being dropped off must be weighed by Outdoor Resource Supply employee before materials are discarded.
3. Residents using plastic bags are required to remove waste from bags and then discard of plastic bags properly.  Biodegradable paper bags are available at most local retail stores.

Also, note that the City of Marion is not responsible for the collection and/or disposal of trees or large amounts of brush cut and/or removed from personal property.  These items may be taken, FREE OF CHARGE for all city residents, to Outdoor Resource Supply (560 Barks Rd. W.) for disposal.

Call Outdoor Resource Supply at 740-223-7275 for additional information on acceptance program or for hours of operation. 

Additional Information:  City Sanitation and Streets Department  740-382-1479

At this time as cities and states begin the process of slowly re-opening for business, portions of parks and public pools are still to remain closed.  Special Event Reservations and Shelter Rentals will not be taken until further notice; while playgrounds and the Lincoln Park Aquatics Center are closed until further notice.  No sales of memberships for the Aquatics Center will take place.  Out of concern for the health and safety of our residents and employees, the City of Marion will continue to follow the guidance that is issued from Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health, as well as Marion Public Health. 

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, DKMM has canceled the April 25th Household Hazardous Waste and Paint and May 16th Electronics and Paper Shredding events.  At this time, remaining special collection events are currently scheduled to go on as planned.  DKMM will monitor the situation and make any further changes as appropriate. 

DKMM staff asks that you continue to safely store your hazardous materials until their June 6th hazardous waste event.  Latex paint can be dried in the can and once solidified, it can be placed in the trash with the lid off.   

Please be sure to check the news feed on the dkmm.org website closer to each date for any changes to the event schedule.

The Special Collection Events for the Delaware-Knox-Marion-Morrow Solid Waste Distict have been set for 2020.  Each county will have a special collection event during the year as follows:

Each collection event will be held at the Fairgrounds for the county listed.

CLICK HERE to go to the DKMM website for for a copy of the DKMM Special Collection Flyer.

Due to modified staffing levels and/or work schedules that have been implemented by the City of Marion's Administration for nearly all departments to decrease the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19, the start of the Curbside Yard Waste Collection program will be delayed for 2020.  Further information on this program will be released at a later date.

Offices located in City Hall will be closed on Friday, April 10, 2020 in observance of the Good Friday holiday.

The following departments will operate as noted below on Friday, April 10:

• Sanitation crews will collect garbage and recycling.  Customers who normally have refuse collected on Friday are requested to have their collections at curbside by 7:00 a.m.
   
• Marion Area Transit buses will not be in operation on Friday, April 10.
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• Marion Senior Center continues to be closed as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Contact the Senior Center for transportation options that are available through the center. 

Essential services including airport, fire, and police will operate as usual.

As a reminder, City Hall and some outlying departments will remain closed to the public until further notice.  Most city employees in non-essential departments are working a reduced number of hours, as well as a rotating schedule to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus.  Therefore, it may be necessary to leave a voicemail message when calling for information.