PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN/ THE VILLAGE REPORTER
VILLAGE ADDRESS … West Unity Village Mayor Don Leu (above) addressed council members with his State of West Unity Address at their council meeting on Thursday, February 12.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Mayor Don Leu highlighted West Unity’s accomplishments and planned projects for 2026 in his State of the Village address at its council meeting held on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Council members in attendance were Kevin Gray, Shawn Blaisdell, Stephen Marvin, Randy Mahlman, and Scott Dunson. Terri Lebowsky was absent.
In his address, the mayor spoke about a few needed projects that were either completed or started.
Among the projects he mentioned was a much-needed replacement water line on South Main Street. A few unexpected projects at the water plant also occurred this past year, which the village was able to repair or update.
He also said the village has accumulated funds for a new inclusive playground at Wabash Park.
Regarding road repairs in the village, Leu commented that grinding and paving work will be done on South High Street from Jackson to Lynn Streets along with Rose Street from the north to Church Street.
He added the village will be constructing a new road on the north end of High Street connecting Catherine Street to a village alley located next to Jacoby’s Ole Smokehouse.
The village is currently in the process of replacing the sewer pump station on North Liberty Street, which possibly will be finished this year. A new gazebo will be placed in Memorial Park near the old shelter house.
Leu noted the village is investigating funding sources and seeking entrepreneurs interested in installing the village’s subdivision infrastructure.
“New housing in West Unity is a dire need,” pointed out Leu. “A week barely goes by when I don’t hear of someone wanting to move into West Unity, but there’s no homes available and very few lots.
“Our subdivision with twenty to twenty-seven new homes would be a big boost to the village economy, helping local businesses, and helping to keep Village taxes down. So, the search is still on for that project.”
Leu also thanked all those who helped with West Unity’s “Lights in the Park” during the Christmas season this past year.
“We had organizations, businesses, community members, people outside of West Unity, all helping to make “Lights in the Park” a huge success,” said the mayor.
“This has been expanding each year with more lights arriving this past year and more in the works for this coming year.”
In his closing address remarks, Leu is looking forward to this year with all that’s coming. He also thanked the community, council, and village employees for all the help in keeping West Unity “The Community That Cares.”
In other business, the council approved a couple of resolutions and declared it an emergency.
Council passed a resolution expressing the intent to sell personal property by internet auction pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 721.15 (D), utilizing the govdeals.com website for 2026.
The personal property which may be sold by internet auction includes motor vehicles acquired for the use of municipal officers and departments, road machinery, equipment, tools, or supplies, which are not needed for public use, or are obsolete or unfit for the use for which they were acquired.
The other resolution authorized village administrator Josh Fritsch to participate in the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program in 2026.
It will enable the village to purchase supplies, services, equipment, and certain materials under the program.
Council also approved an Agricultural District renewal application of a land parcel owned within the village limits by Michael and Connie Richer.
Once submitted to the village clerk and approved, the application will be sent to the Williams County Auditor.
In his administrator’s report, Fritsch told council the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) had contacted him involving a grant the village had received back in 1977.
“Back in 1977, the village got a grant from the Federal Parks System for $12,000 to put in a baseball diamond, tennis court, and the parking lot,” said Fritsch. “We weren’t supposed to sell any property associated with the parks.
“We did so in the area where the football field is on. Since we sold it to another public entity and it’s always open, they’re okay if we make a resolution next meeting just saying that it will be always open to the public and it’s never going to be closed.
“If something happened and they tear down the football field and they couldn’t build housing on it, they couldn’t put a school on it. It must be open space to always be used.”
He will have a resolution ready for the March council meeting on the issue.
Fritsch has been working on road paving projects in the village. He said the engineer in charge was off from the end of December until January 5.
They need to come and survey South High Street to determine where they will mark the sewer line taps. He and Mayor Leu said they want to get the project out for bids as soon as possible.
He also reported a recent water main break on Lynn Street, noting that two feet of hard frost were found underneath the road during repairs.
Regarding the recent snowstorm, Fritsch said the village had been busy plowing the streets and thanked ODOT for its help.
Mayor Leu read a thank you note from the family of Tom Holsopple who had recently passed away. He was a former village councilman and employee.
Leu told the council that he’s recently applied for a Congressional Directed Spending Fund of $7 million for federal road projects.
If approved, the village would be responsible for a ten percent match ($700,000) to pay for it. Council then made a motion to approve it.
He also applied for a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Capital Projects Fund for installation of a siren and a fence around the water plant. The council made a motion to approve it.
The next council meeting will be on Thursday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.