Village of Leipsic Mayor
Village of Leipsic
State of the Village 2024
Members of the Village Council, Village Employees, and citizens of the Village of Leipsic, I am happy to share with you the 2024 State of the Village Address.
I am pleased to report that during 2023 we were able to complete several projects that have contributed to our continued financial sustainability, maintenance and beautification of our Village.
We were able to fulfill street improvement projects which saw paving completed on Rush and Buckeye streets from Liberty St to Orchard St, on Liberty Street from Eastom St. to Belmore St., and on Sugar Street from Werner St. to the railroad tracks.
We were able to complete the widening of the driveway from Road F-6 to Bennett Park, which was a project that had originally started in 2022. The widening has resulted in easier access for residents and visitors during sporting events and I want to thank our village employees for their hard work and diligence in this project.
Improvements to the Village Hall include replacing the windows and entry doors, which will help with the heating and cooling bills. In 2024, we plan to make the East entry doors ADA compliant, which will be beneficial to residents and visitors to the building.
As you visit Buckeye Park and the pool this year, you will notice some enhancements. We were able to replace two shelter house roofs with Standing Steel Metal which is designed to last many years. Additionally, the pool house was refurbished with new toilets, sinks, and faucets as well as newly painted floors which resulted in about $10,000 worth of improvements.
Our fire department received grant funds of almost $35,000 from the Putnam County and ARPA Grant and the funds were put toward the purchase of a used pickup brush truck.
The fire department has also purchased a cab and chassis for a brush/rescue truck which they anticipate building and finishing in 2024. As you drive by our fire stations, you may notice some new lighting. The department purchased LED lights for inside and outside the stations which the village employees are installing. The lights will not only save the village money in electric bills but will improve visibility. I appreciate the commitment of our fire department to our village and the local townships.
Our police force will be receiving a new Ford Explorer cruiser which was ordered in 2023 and is expected to be delivered in the first quarter 2024. I appreciate the dedication of our village police officers and their perseverance in keeping our village and residents safe.
Speaking of savings, the Village purchased a used 2010 plow truck from another township which saved the Village $165,000. We were also able to make an early payoff of our Water Plant loan of $446,733.53 which has saved the Village approximately $145,585.
As noted, we had a successful 2023 in our projects, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in 2024. Buckeye Park will again be a focus as we plan to complete the remaining two sidewalk paths to enclose the park around the pool. We also plan to put asphalt down in the parking area along Orchard Drive. These projects will total about $140,000 and we have received a grant of $74,000 which will assist with funding.
We have also received an OPWC grant which will cover 50% of the $152,060 repaving cost for our street improvement project. Streets slated for repaving include:
- Grand Street (Main St. to the dead end)
- 9th Street (Main St. to Sugar St.)
- 5th Street (Mathias St. to Center St.)
- Commercial Street (Mathias St. to the dead end)
- Grove Street (Main St. to Liberty St.)
Main Street will receive an upgrade as we will be doing storm sewer and curb replacement this year. This will include the areas of Werner St. to Eastom St. and St. Rt. 65 to Orchard Dr. We have received a 0% loan for this $1.2 million project and completion is expected in the fall.
Additionally, the village is going to be building a new Mega Northside Pump Station to service the industries in our area. The station is projected to cost $2.1M and the village has applied for $750,000 in grants to help offset the overall cost.
Grant applications are in process to further develop Bennett Park. If funds are awarded, plans would include a new shelter house, additional parking by the track, and park entrance paving improvements off State St. The Village is also applying for a downtown revitalization grant, which if awarded, could be up to $250,000.
This past summer, the village worked with the Leipsic Chamber of Commerce to hold the inaugural Tastes and Tunes Tuesday events which featured music and food trucks for everyone’s enjoyment. We look forward to continuing this endeavor this summer and encourage all residents to come out for fun and friendship.
I would like to thank all our village employees for their hard work this past year. An example of their commitment and diligent service to the village was how they all came and worked together when we had a major water main break. Because of their efforts, water was restored to the village within a few hours while repairs were ongoing. We truly appreciate all that our employees do each day to keep our village running smoothly.
I would also like to congratulate Marvin Maag on his retirement as Village Administrator and thank him for his service. We welcome Lee Beck as our new Village Administrator and look forward to working with him.
Finally, I would like to thank our village council for their conscientious leadership and oversight of our village. I look forward to continuing to work with you to help keep Leipsic prosperous and thriving.
Richard Recker
Mayor of Leipsic
