Wellsville mayor hopes for more positivity in 2024 after progress made in 2023
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WELLSVILLE -- Wellsville Mayor Bob Boley hopes 2024 brings a feeling of positivity into the village after the progress made during 2023.
Boley said he hears a lot of negativities about the village from the same people all the time and he wishes more people would see the positive especially with some of the accomplishments achieved in the village such as the demolition of blighted buildings and the beginning of plans for the Wellsville Marina and the paving of a portion of Main Street.
The village demolished three buildings deemed unsightly and/or unsafe. The buildings include the one located at 320 Main St., known as the Third Street building, one on 4th Street and the Jim Kenny Center near the Marina, which was demolished by Scout Solar as part of a contract the village has with the company to install solar facilities to help save the village money on the electric costs.
Work has not yet begun on any of the solar projects for Wellsville, but it is anticipated to begin soon.
Boley views the demolitions of these buildings both as major accomplishments and challenges in 2023.
Boley hopes to see more blighted properties torn down as local groups work to beautify the downtown area and the administration works on a plan for downtown revitalization.
Projects Boley hopes to see projects in 2024 involve the cleaning of homes and ridding them of overgrown grass and weeds, garbage and junk vehicles and the removal of more dilapidated buildings.
"I would hope that neighbors would help neighbors in cleaning up properties and painting, when possible," Boley said.
He hopes to find additional funding to continue paving the streets and get rid of houses that have been trashed with help from the Columbiana County Land Bank and bring new businesses downtown.
Boley notes there have been no changes in village staff or operations and the budget is in good shape for 2024, providing there are no major breakdowns or costly incidents.
Boley would also find ways to tackle the drug problem plaguing the area.
"As in most towns and villages throughout Ohio and in our country, we face the problems of drugs," Boley said. "Too many young people are dying, and I would hope that we find a way to force the pushers away."
Boley said he was grateful for the relationship the village has with the Wellsville Community Foundation and wants to continue to work with the foundation for the betterment of Wellsville.
One of the biggest challenges for Wellsville has been trying to find a way to dredge the Marina. Dredging was estimated to cost over $1 million but needs to be done if the village hopes to restore the marina and make it usable again. Buckeye Water District has offered to include the cost of the dredging in a grant application it is are submitting for some of its projects.
Boley and Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah have been working closely with OMEGA over the past year to develop a revitalization plan for downtown along with helping to develop plans and submit grant applications for the marina.
Boley said the dredging of the marina is a new chapter in bringing it back to what is once looked like and would bring it back to life and mean a lot to the village.