Gradall honored on 80th anniversary

At New Philadelphia's Feb. 23 city council meeting, Mayor Joel Day honored Gradall Industries, one of the largest employers in New Philadelphia, on the company’s 80th anniversary.

The mayor presented a proclamation to Mike Popovich, Gradall Industries president.

In his proclamation, Day noted that for 80 years, Gradall excavators have been the only hydraulically driven excavators to be designed and assembled fully in the United States and solely in the state of Ohio.

“This is about Gradall’s longstanding commitment to the entire community,” Popovich said. “We’ve been here forever. We intend to be here forever. This isn’t just the end, this is the start for us. We’re doing well, and I would like to see that continue here.”

The Gradall facility, located on Mill Avenue, employs around 375 people.

The first Gradall excavator was designed in 1945, and the rights were sold to the Warner & Swasey Co. They were originally manufactured in Cleveland. Gradall’s manufacturing operations were moved to New Philadelphia in 1950.

Council members also received a photo presentation from Service Director Ron McAbier about the current state of vehicles used by the General Services Department. The trucks are beginning to show their age. Some of the vehicles currently used by the city were purchased in the 1990s.

The bed is rotting out on one truck and has outlived its life, he said. The city has spent $15,000 to keep another one of the trucks on the road since 2023.

“It’s easy to say that there’s no department within this city that does more with less with everything they have to do,” McAbier said.

After the presentation, Councilman Kris Kreinbihl said that the state of the trucks was an issue that council would have to address sooner or later.

“It’s not wants, these are needs,” McAbier said. But he lamented that funding has not come through.

“I’ve put in for trucks every year since I’ve been here, and this is going on 14 years for me,” said General Services Superintendent Ray Grewell. “I’ve got a truck a handful of times since I’ve been here. I try to make do with what we’ve got, but it’s getting harder and harder to do.”

He pointed out that his budget for 2026 was the lowest he has had in years.

Councilwoman Cheryl Ramos asked for a list of equipment that department has and a replacement schedule.

“If all we have is a shovel and a rake, we’re going to go out and do work, but it’s not going to be the best,” Grewell said.

During his mayor’s report, Day told council that the Inclusive Playground Project at Tuscora Park continues to move forward.

But he added that the project is still around $66,000 short of its fundraising goal. Applications will be made to local foundations to make up the shortfall.

Day noted that residents can still make donations to the project by sending a check to: Tuscora Park office, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

Construction of the playground is slated to begin this spring, Day said.