The village of Wellsville is ready to begin work on turning the Wellsville Marina into a destination spot once a grant to cover the cost of dredging is approved. (Photo by Kristi R Garabrandt)

WELLSVILLE — Wellsville Mayor Bob Boley and Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah are hoping to carry over the progress made on several projects in the village in 2024 into 2025.

Two of the biggest projects have been getting funding to develop the marina and the paving of a large portion of Main Street.

There will be another portion of Main Street paved in 2025.

Boley noted the village is ready to go on the marina with approximately $600,000 in grant money including money for new docks. The village is waiting on Buckeye Water District to get the approval for a grant to dredge the marina.

“Once that happens, we can move forward with the docking and playground which is what the grant money is for,” Boley said.

There will also be a picnic area put in at the marina. It is Boley’s goal to make the marina a destination spot.

The village has also seen the completion of a solar project by Scout Solar at the sewage plant which will help the village cut costs on electricity and has seen several dilapidated buildings torn down.

Scout Solar is expected to construct another solar structure behind village hall, but Boley isn’t sure when they are going to move forward with that project.

Boley is also looking forward to working with the Columbiana County Landbank to tear down more dilapidated buildings village since they have been awarded the grant money to get them torn down. There will be six houses and one building torn down in 2025.

There are no plans yet for the property once the houses are torn down, but Boley would like to see more playgrounds in the village on some of the lots and sell the others.

The village has struggled for years to find a way to get these dilapidated houses torn down. Boley said that has always been a challenge for the village, especially when the owners live out of town or out of state.

Boley is hopeful that removing the eyesores will improve the aesthetics of the village and maybe bring more business in.

“We have a couple more that will need to come down, but it is going to be more eye appealing with that junk gone,” Boley said

Wah said the budget is in good shape. There are no major budget cuts, and the village expects to carry over nearly $2 million. Boley agrees with Wah that when it comes to the budget, the village is in good shape.

There haven’t really been any staff or operation changes in the village for 2024.

Boley’s focus for 2025 is turning the marina into a destination spot, bringing more businesses into the downtown area and working to get more run-down houses removed and try to cut down on the vandalism that has been happening in the area. Boley said he will make an example out of anyone caught committing any acts of vandalism.

He noted the marina has to be done by 2026 or they lose the grant money.

Boley said he also hopes to spruce up the village with new Christmas decorations in 2025. He also said he wants to see members of village council get more involved and more residents attend council meetings.

With the closing of Rite-Aid, the village is left without a drug store, so Boley said he is hoping to get a pharmacy in the village, too.

There are also plans with the council’s approval to get a housing inspector to help get property owners to maintain their properties.

Wah noted that other big goals for 2025 include keeping the downtown revitalization momentum going, improving the housing and property situation and maintaining the safety and well-being of Wellsville’s residents.

“Thanks to all the staff, department heads and administration working together for another successful year,” Wah said.