Strasburg council sets groundbreaking for new community center

Mayor Bruce Metzger announced the groundbreaking ceremony for Strasburg’s new community center will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the site on North Bodmer Avenue next to the village hall. The building is expected to be completed in September 2026.

“The community is invited to attend,” Metzger said. “Located in the community center will be a community room that seats 350, the police station, library and Carpenter’s Cupboard.”

Resident Diana Flickinger presented an idea to paint a mural at Garver Square on Wooster Avenue. She said a canvas was donated because the brick is too rough and the project will require about $10,000. Council agreed to support the project, which would be completed by Jim Dawson, owner of Synergy Signs and Graphics. Council suggested appointing a committee of residents to determine the mural design.

Council passed an ordinance requiring anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle to wear a protective helmet meeting standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Council also held first readings on a resolution authorizing the sale of village-owned personal property that is not needed or is unfit for use; an ordinance outlining services the village will provide to annexed territory; and a resolution to expend up to $20,000 for a sidewalk repair program and removal of dead or diseased trees in the right of way in front of an applicant’s property.

Council agreed to remove dumpsters at Franklin Park until spring after 10 individuals were caught placing trash in them. Council also discussed Safe Routes to School and the next steps for the project, heard a request to add a sidewalk and parking at Garver Square, and learned of wind damage to the ball field No. 2 backstop at Franklin Park.

Council passed an ordinance limiting heavy truck traffic on Zelman Avenue where it intersects with North Wooster Ave. (Route 250). Truck drivers will be directed to use 12th Street NE.

A complaint was also addressed about youths kicking and damaging doors in the village.

Police responded to 140 calls from Dec. 16 through Jan. 6 and handled 2,320 calls in 2025. The fire department responded to 35 calls from Dec. 16 through Dec. 31 and handled 704 calls in 2025.

Council announced committee assignments for 2026. Wes Hostetler will serve as council president pro tem. Finance committee members are Kathy Burrier, Hostetler and Lewis Dreher; park committee members are Hostetler, Burrier and Jason Marks; safety committee members are Marks, Smith and Marty Zehnder; street and alley committee members are Smith, Zehnder and Dreher; and Zehnder will serve on the cemetery board. Metzger will serve as Community Improvement Corp. representative and on the regional planning commission. The property committee includes Metzger, Village Administrator Mike Rosenberry and Hostetler.

Metzger thanked village employees for clearing streets and sidewalks during recent snowfall and reminded residents that parking is banned on streets when two or more inches of snow falls so crews can plow.

The next council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. A public hearing with Tekton Engineering will be held at 5 p.m. to request a variance to construct a commercial building on a lot smaller than the required square footage.