Mayor's annual review: More exciting days in Newcomerstown’s future

NEWCOMERSTOWN − From tragedy to celebration.

Mayor Pat Cadle recapped what 2022 was like for residents during his recent annual state of the village report.

“2022 was by far (the village’s) most ambitious year of the past seven and most successful," he said. "Much was accomplished but the devastating Spaulding Avenue fire (that killed six members of the Elliott family on Dec. 26) made us take a look at the blessings in our own homes and our families' safety. As the lives of the Elliott family were lost to us, it was noticed there were no active smoke detectors in their home."

The American Red Cross worked with the village to sponsor a smoke detector installation effort at 52 nearby homes, he said. Another smoke detector installation will be scheduled for April, a positive program the mayor said he hopes continue until every home in Newcomerstown has detectors.

“This event has also made us look at our fire department and the problems it has been beleaguered with over the past three years,” the mayor said. "Investigations by the (Ohio) Attorney General’s Office, the loss of nonprofit status due non-filing of yearly tax forms, and operating without proper pharmacy licensing in place have all been noted in the newspapers. Participation has decreased to only two or three firefighters showing up for any type of call. This increasingly endangers those we have who are at that fire.

"We must remedy this as a village for the safety of our families and children. This is one our main goals in 2023. The loss of the Elliott family was not due to the fire department but we don’t want to ever have any family in Newcomerstown experience this kind of a tragedy again.”

Cadle said department leaders and administration set goals each year. There were 156 goals for 2022 with 133 achieved, he said.

Grants totaling $2,236,750 were applied for and received for the Simonds demolition and EPA testing, the Neighbor Street bridge project, the demolition of four abandoned houses, and the start of the revitalization of Main Street.

New village office space in Newcomerstown

The village administration offices have moved into the former Morgan’s Pharmacy building at 308 S. College St.

“We are very proud to have, after 20 years, our own council chambers, Mayor Cadle said. “This is a multi-purpose room that can be used by any civic and non-profit group for meetings during the year and we encourage them to use the facility. It is equipped with restrooms, sinks and electrical outlets to eventually be let out for special events. Another bonus is the storage space available which was badly needed."

An open house is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 9 from 4-7 p.m.

Cadle noted the Village Police Department was led by Chief Gary Holland in his last year before retirement.

He congratulated Holland on "13 years of leadership and for providing stability to that department.”

“As Chief Holland retires, we welcome Chief Opha Lawson. Chief Lawson is a veteran and former captain of the Newcomerstown Police force and brings in many years of experience both in and outside of Newcomerstown. We look forward to many years of his leadership and continued stability.”

The Street Department’s paving projects in 2022 included E. Canal Street, Beaver Street extension (which took a total reconstruction of the street), Chapman Avenue, the pool parking lot, upper level road at the pool, the water office parking lot, the water treatment plant road, and the alleys behind Hill Valley Auto and Marstrell’s Auto Parts store. A new culvert was constructed on Keiser Hill.

Cadle noted the efforts of the water and wastewater and park departments.

“Our parks continue to be improved. Cy Young Park received new paving for the parking lot and upper road. Several shelters received new roofs. John Resh, our parks superintendent, has increased the number of paths at the Simonds-Heller Park, one of which is almost completed to the Clow Hole for fishermen and, eventually, walkers. Our boat ramp is getting a lot of use and is now publicized on the Muskingum Watershed maps. Southside Park has two large trees coming down and we hope to redo the basketball court in 2023.”

Looking ahead at 2023

The Strategic Planning Commission is starting its third year and has been working on a five-year plan, which includes recreational opportunities, revitalization of the downtown and road improvements. With more industries looking at the industrial park, planning is needed for the infrastructure for the companies and new housing, he said.

“A big bright spot” has been the activities planned by Newcomerstown Now, a group working with Heritage Ohio to promote Main Street and the community, he said.

Six new activities, including four “Second Saturday" events, a Haunted Trail for Halloween and the Christmas Downtown were launched by Newcomerstown Now. The Second Saturdays brought residents and visitors to the Main Street to listen to music, browse downtown stores and eat from a food truck or chicken dinner. The Haunted Trail brought 400 “brave souls” for a hayride and a spooky walk. Plans are to add another night.

“The yearly Cy Young and Gateway festivals, the Library, ARTSNCT events, activities with the Rotary, Elks, Masons Moose, American Legion, our Historical Society, our churches, Chamber of Commerce, our schools and a new River Poker Run prove that Newcomerstown is a great venue for activities for any age,” the mayor said. “There was something special to attend every month in our community."

2022 was an ambitious year, he said. "We accomplished more than any other year in the past. It has us closer to where we want to be in the future. Newcomerstown is looking better than ever, but we still have more work to do.”

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mayor: More exciting days are in Newcomerstown’s future