Mayor reviews 2025 accomplishments at village meeting

Mayor Bruce Metzger reviewed a list of 2025 accomplishments during the Dec. 16 village council meeting.

Metzger said a multipurpose community center, police station, library and food pantry will be built in a 16,845-square-foot facility next to village hall. Plans are to break ground in March 2026.

He also highlighted completion of the Fourth Street SW railroad crossing crosswalk, the soccer field parking lot, pickleball courts and lighting, and the inaugural Pickleball Classic Tournament held in October. Additional accomplishments included installation of Omni Fiber, expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, completion of a through street from Seventh Street to Dale Avenue, a Sixth Street and Quinten Avenue crosswalk, implementation of the GoGov My Strasburg notifications system, completion of required training for all village employees and elected officials, improvements to baseball fields and the success of Christmas in the Village.

State Rep. Jodi Salvo of House District 51 attended the meeting to provide an update and ask whether council had concerns. She said more information is expected in the spring regarding a proposal to abolish real estate taxes. Salvo said rural communities would suffer under such a change, affecting schools as well as ambulance, fire and police services.

She said increasing sales tax is not feasible and that income tax is not stable enough to support the state, adding that residents could leave Ohio.

Council adopted 2026 temporary appropriations totaling $13.2 million across all funds and requested an amendment to the Official Certificate of Estimated Resources to reflect more accurate 2025 figures. Council learned the village and Franklin Township each received $150,000 from the Joint Economic Development District as an annual disbursement and passed an ordinance establishing pay rates and benefits for village employees and elected officials.

Council heard that the new wastewater treatment plant design will not affect the girls softball field or parking areas. Members passed a resolution committing the village to sole maintenance of certain streets following the annexation of 5.266 acres and adopted a resolution approving borrowing from SSB Community Bank to finance construction of a new multipurpose community center at an estimated cost of about $3.3 million. Metzger said he does not believe the project will cost that much.

Council also learned Franklin Township spent $209,000 to pave Central Avenue and $145,000 to purchase a new mower for hillside use. Trustee Brent Metzger thanked the community for passing the renewal of the fire levy. Officials reported the utility department received no written notices of violation in 2025 for sampling results or overall treatment. The street department used 190 tons of road salt during the 2024-25 season and installed multiple catch basins, dry wells and leaching trenches.

Two ordinances were passed requiring riders of Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycles to wear helmets and regulating specialized motor vehicles, including golf carts, side-by-sides, utility vehicles and all-terrain vehicles.

Council thanked Liz Dreher and Dustin Briggs for their service. Dreher said she was glad to work with everyone and thanked the community. Briggs thanked residents and village employees for their support. Neither sought re-election.

Police responded to 84 calls from Dec. 1 through Dec. 16. Police Chief Randy Haugh said goals include continued growth, teamwork with the community, hiring a school resource officer, upgrading body and vehicle cameras and ongoing training. The fire department responded to 29 calls from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15 and received a new brush truck and utility terrain vehicle purchased by Franklin Township.

Council thanked village administrator Mike Rosenberry for his work and noted the police and fire departments are fully staffed.

The next meeting will be held Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. Meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. going forward to accommodate council members.