Malvern maps 2026 upgrades: park fixes, track work, and use of $429K in royalties

Malvern Village Council met Oct. 20 and discussed possible 2026 improvement projects.

Fiscal Officer Ashley Neading initiated the discussion by noting that the village needs to develop a plan for upcoming projects in 2026. She emphasized that thoughtful planning would help ensure funds are appropriated correctly and that projects are prioritized to benefit the entire community.

“I think we need to put this money back into the village that is used by the village,” said Neading.

The conversation turned to specific park improvements, especially the ongoing issue of deteriorating wooden picnic tables. Council members discussed replacing them with coated metal tables that would last longer and require far less maintenance. The current tables warp and deteriorate each year, forcing employees to spend considerable time replacing boards and repainting them. Although the metal tables would cost around $1,000 each, members agreed they were a smart long-term investment.

The walking track was a major focus, with the council agreeing it is the park’s most used and valuable feature. Roots from nearby trees have damaged sections of the track, leading to discussion about consulting an arborist to determine whether roots can be safely trimmed or if some large trees should be removed and replaced farther away. Because the track is heavily used by residents, the council agreed to seek potential grants to help fund resurfacing or extending it in the future.

Neading reported that up to this point, the village has received approximately $429,475.24 year to date in oil and gas royalty payments from EOG Resources. She reiterated that the best use of these funds is to reinvest them in visible community improvements such as park upgrades, canal clearing, paving projects and pavilion accessibility enhancements. Council members discussed allocating half of the funds for immediate infrastructure projects and saving the other half for future needs.

There was a shared understanding that while saving is important, residents need to see the benefits of the royalties through visible improvements around town. The council plans to create a prioritized project list by December to guide the 2026 budget and appropriation process, ensuring funds are directed toward projects that directly enhance the quality of life in the village.

In an unrelated matter, council discussed a request from Fallon Jones of Brown Local Schools, who contacted Councilman Craig DeLong about hosting a fire in the park on Thursday for the high school football team. The council approved the request and recommended that the group use the existing village brush pile as the base for the fire. They agreed that additional wood or skids could be added to make a larger bonfire if desired but emphasized that the fire must not be built in the parking lot or other public areas. Safety and supervision were priorities, and council members agreed the designated site was in a safe and suitable location.

In other business, council:

— ADVISED of issues with people leaving food bags on the ground near the food pantry. Animals have been scattering the food, creating a mess. Council asked residents to wait until the pantry is less full rather than leaving items outside. “It is a great thing, and we don’t want to tell people not to bring food, but if it is full please come back,” said Kaltenbaugh. “Thank you for taking the food there but setting it on the ground, the animals are getting it, and the people are not,” added Holmes.

— LEARNED Cargill was again awarded the winter road salt contract at a rate of $63.24 per ton for the village’s requested 150 tons, for a total cost of $9,486. The price represents an increase of $2.09 per ton from the previous year.

— DISCUSSED ongoing negotiations with EOG Resources regarding water service and agreed to set a firm deadline of Nov. 20 for the company to finalize its agreement. If no action is taken by that date, the village will permanently shut off EOG’s water service. Officials emphasized that reconnecting without permission would be illegal, and violators could face law enforcement action.

— HEARD from Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh that crews have been cleaning the shop, washing trucks, mowing, patching roads and performing leaf removal. The council discussed strategies for more efficient leaf collection, especially on streets where leaves line the curbs rather than being piled. Councilman Tom Holmes expressed concerns about village workers driving lawnmowers through town due to inadequate trailers for hauling them. Kaltenbaugh said he understands, and other council members reiterated the need to purchase a new trailer for safety reasons.

— PAID the village bills from the appropriate funds totaling $17,189.15, approved by the Finance Committee on Oct. 20, and biweekly payrolls of $6,580.75, paid Oct. 23.