Message from Mayor Ben Garlich, April 2023
Hello Middlefield Village residents:
As we move forward from winter to hopefully spring, almost the first of May and still seeing occasional snow flurries, we are ready to switch gears from winter requirements to spring and summer tasks. Fortunately, if you have an attitude toward winter like mine, we did not receive much snow this year, and the normal overtime and salt expenses were greatly reduced not to mention the wear and tear on equipment.
This month, we were able to resurface north Springdale and complete a major repair on Sperry Lane, pour, much overdue and needed, new concrete steps to the baseball fields on Sperry Lane, refurbish the Girl Scout Lodge, and the largest project of obtaining new sources for water is progressing.
As we’ve seen the growth of our Village, we are keenly aware that we need to ensure our facilities and workforce need to support existing and future quality growth. Our succession planning has resulted in some new hires earmarked to be the future Village team that ensures quality service to our residents and business. We look forward to their growth in becoming experts in their respective areas as they replace the current expertise in the future.
The Village had developed a plan to financially partner with Village business to make aesthetic improvements to their facilities. This in conjunction with our long-standing plan to partner with residents to help with external residential improvements has made a tremendous difference in many residents and businesses within our Village. This has been money well spent. To date 25 businesses have applied and received some financial assistance with their improvement projects. We appreciate everyone who makes an effort and invests in our community to assist in improvement. I encourage all Village entities to take pride in their homes and establishments to create a Village of which we can all be proud.
We are currently into our second year of construction on 608 north. Although the work is outside the Village I know it impacts many of you. This construction is to aid in safer travel for Amish buggies and cars. This project is a result of the township and Village request to provide buggy lanes on the east and west side of the road from Nauvoo Road to Burton Windsor. I was initially surprised at the speed the project got off the ground but never dreamt that it would be a two-plus year project. I ask for your patience but assure you when completed it will be a win-win for all travelers regardless of mode of transportation.
Be informed, be involved, exercise your right to vote, shop Middlefield and visit www.middlefieldohio.com