MESSAGE FROM THE Mayor Mayor
AsIamwritingthis,weareexperiencingourfirstperiodofextendedhightemperatures. FreedlanderPoolisgettingalotofuse.Speakingofpools,wearehopingtohavethe ChristmasRunPoolreplacementprojectouttobidbeforetheendofsummer,witha contractorselectedinSeptember.TheexpectedcompletiondateisMayof2026. SummerinOhiomeansconstructionseason,andthereareplentyofprojectstakingplace inandaroundWooster.TheWayneCountyJailexpansionisproceeding,asistheWooster CommunityHospitalexpansion(PatientAccess&EmergencyCenteror“PAEC”).
ResidentialprojectsaremovingforwardwiththeRyanHomesDevelopmenton MechanicsburgRoadandtheWeaverCustomHomesprojectonBurbankRoad.Andthere areseveralmoreintheworks.
Severalroundaboutprojectswillbestartingconstructionoverthesummer.TheOhio DepartmentofTransportationisinstallingaroundaboutattheSR585andGeyersChapel RoadintersectionandWayneCountywillbebuildingaroundaboutattheintersectionof Smithville-WesternandHoneytownRoads Forourpart,theCityisfinalizingplansforan elongatedroundaboutattheintersectionofBurbank,Winkler,andOldmanRoads(“The Peanut”)anddoingpreliminaryworkincooperationwithWoosterCommunityHospitalfor anotherelongatedroundaboutattheintersectionofClevelandRoad,ElmDrive,andBeall Avenue(“TheKidney”).
Thereareseveraladministrativeinitiativesthataremovingtowardscompletion.Thelarge annexationIreferencedintheSpringnewsletterisprogressing.TheDORAdistrictin downtownWoosterhasastatutory“Sunset”provisionthatrequiresthelocalgovernment torenewtheprogramevery5years.Thisprogramhasbeenextremelysuccessfulandat theirlastmeetingbeforethesummerrecess,WoosterCityCouncilnotonlyrenewedthe programforanother5yearsbutalsoslightlyexpandedtheDORAdistrict.TheSteering Committeeformedtostudyrevisionstotheresidential zoningcodehadtheirlastmeetingandourconsultant (OHMAdvisors)willnowtaketheirworkanddevelopa setofproposedamendmentstothezoningcodethat willgototheWoosterPlanningCommissionforreview andthenontoWoosterCityCouncilforaction.Finally, ournewtransportationprogram(“WAYGO”)kicksoff onAugust1.Alotofworkhasgoneintothisproject, andabigthankyouforallwhohavecontributed. Thereisasignificantportionofourcommunitythat reliesheavilyonpublictransportation,andalthough thecommunityhascometogetherwithastop-gap systemoverthepastyear,along-termsolutionis needed.Wehavedesignedaprogramthatwebelieve willfillthatneed,withthehopethatoverthecourseof thenextfewyearswecanpartnerwithother communitiesandagenciestoexpandtheservice throughoutWayneCounty.
Thereisonepotentialdarkcloudonthehorizon,andit involvesproposedchangestoOhio’srealestatetax system Althoughthepublicschoolsandthecounty governmentrelymuchmoreheavilyonpropertytaxes thandoestheCitygovernment,thisstillrepresentsabout 9%oftheCity’soverallbudget,orabout3.4milliondollars, allofwhichcomesfromwhatisknownas“insidemillage”. HB355iscurrentlypendinginColumbusanditwouldtake awaythatinsidemillagefundingfortheCityofWooster andevenlargeramountsfromWayneCountyandfrom WoosterCitySchools.TheWayneCountyPublicLibrary andtheMentalHealthBoardwouldalsoseeareductionin taxrevenues.
Evenmoreominousisapetitioneffortcurrentlyunderway toamendtheOhioConstitutiontoprohibitthecollectionof anyrealpropertytaxes.HB355wouldatleastallowlocal governmentbodiestogobacktothevotersandseek replacementleviestorecouptherevenueslostfromthe eliminationofinsidemillage.Theproposedconstitutional amendmentmakesnoprovisionforthereplacementof propertytaxrevenues,althoughasapracticalmatterthe onlyalternativeswouldbeincreasesinincometaxesor salestaxes.OhioingeneralandWayneCountyin particularareprojectedtoexperienceasignificant increaseintheaverageageoftheirrespective populations,whichmeanslessworkersandmoreretirees. Attemptingtoshiftourentiretaxburdentoincometaxes andsalestaxeswouldonlyacceleratethatchange,asit wouldhaveanegativeimpactonlocalandstatewide effortstoattractandretainyoungpeople.
ThebottomlineisthatiftheCityofWoosterlosesthe $3.4Mofinsidemillagewecurrentlyreceivefromproperty taxes,wearegoingtoneedtoraisethatrevenuefrom othersources,reducethe levelofserviceprovidedto ourresidents,orsome combinationofthetwo.
$2.8billionspenton fireworksin2024
Over16,000fireworksdisplaysareheld
$8.9billion:AmountAmericanswill spendonfoodforJuly4th
150millionhotdogswillbeeaten
Source:https://wallethubcom/blog/4th-of-july-facts/22075
Pleasejointhecelebration Friday,July4,2025atthe Burbank/OldmanRdsoccerfields forfood,fun,andfamily entertainment.Thefunstartsat 5:00pmwithfireworkstofollowat 10:00pm.
Thiseventissponsoredbythe WoosterFireworksFoundation,in cooperationwiththeCityof Wooster.Fireworksaredisplayed byNortheastOhioPyrotechnics Groupandprovidedthrough donationsfromtheWooster Rotary,WoosterExchangeClub andthepublic.
Ifyouwouldliketohelpsupport thiseventpleasemakechecks payabletothe“Wooster FireworksFund”andmailtoP.O. Box1424,Wooster,Ohio44691. AnyquestionspleasecallGilNing @330-464-6305.
TheCityofWoosterremainscommittedtoproviding reliable,efficient,andenvironmentallyresponsible wastemanagementservicesforourresidents. ThroughacontractwithKimbleRecycling&Disposal, Inc.,residentsreceiveweeklycurbsidetrashcollection and,beginningJuly1,2025,bi-weeklycurbside recyclingservice.
Tohelpresidentsprepareforthistransition,updated recyclingserviceschedulesandmapsarenow availableontheCity’swebsitePleasevisitthelinks belowtofindyourcollectiondays
ThankyouforhelpinguskeepWooster clean,green,andmovingforward!
PODCASTS,EVENTS,&MORE!
StayconnectedwiththelatestinWoosterandWayneCounty! FromMainStreetWooster,theWoosterAreaChamberof Commerce,andtheWayneCountyConventionandVisitorsBureau, findevents,podcasts,sports,andlocalstoriesthatinspire.From familyfunandlivemusictoconversationswithcommunityleaders, What’sOninWooisyourgo-toguideforallthingslocal.There’salways somethinghappeninginWooster!Don’tmissout!woosteroh.com/woo-you
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
330-263-5255|538N.MarketSt.,Wooster,
WayGo is a NEW public transit service available to ALL residents and visitors in Wayne County. The mission of WayGo is to serve the people of Wayne County by providing safe, reliable, and inclusive transportation. Connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, education, and community resources, enhancing quality of life and strengthening the fabric of our local communities.
WAYGOiscomingthisAugust!
WayGoisthenewfixedrouteanddemandresponsetransitsystemservingtheCityofWooster andpartsofWayneCounty.Whetheryou'reheadedtowork,school,thegrocerystoreora medicalappointment,WayGomakesitaffordableandeasytogetwhereyou’regoing.
FixedRouteService
Fixedrouteservicerunshourlyonaloopthrough Wooster,makingregularstopsalongtheway.
ServiceHours
MondaythroughFriday:7a.m.to8p.m. Saturday:10a.m.to6p.m.
Fare
$1generalpublic
Eligibleseniorsandpeoplewithdisabilities canregisterforreducedfarebycalling
WayGoat330-263-5255
StopsInclude:
WayneCountyLibrary(startingpoint,everyhour)
Walmart
Buehler’sMilltown
WoosterCommunityHospital
ViolaStartzmanClinic
PortageShoppingCenter
Andmore(20totalstops)
CITY OF WOOSTER Electric Aggregation Update
WHAT IS ELECTRIC AGGREGATION?
Electricalaggregationallowsourcommunitytojoin togethertopurchaseelectricityinbulk,helpinglower yourratescomparedtobuyingindividually.
WHY
ARE ENERGY PRICES RISING? (August 2024-April 2025)
Thecapacitycharge(amajor partofyourelectricbill)is jumpingfrom$29.50/MW-dayto $270.43/MW-daystartingJune1, 2025,dueto:
Increaseddemand(data centers,EVs,hottersummers)
Powerplantretirements
Delaysinbuildingnew generation
Thesecostsaffecteveryonein Ohio-whetheryoubuypower fromautilityorathird-party supplier.
Letushelpyousavewhile keepingourcommunitystrong!
Aggregation Rate (BeginningAugust2025) $0.0963/kWh AEP Summer Utility Rate
$0105/kWh (projected)
Despiterisingwholesale costs,Wooster’s Aggregation Programcontinues tosecure competitiverates protectingyoufrom thefullbruntofmarketspikes.
FreedlanderPoolandKnightsFieldSprayground areyourgo-tospotsforsummerfun,nowthrough Saturday,August16!
Whetheryou’reswimminglaps,loungingpoolside, orlettingthekidsgowildinthesprayfeatures, there’ssomethingforeveryonetoenjoy.
�� Mid-SeasonPoolPasseswillbeavailable startingmid-July, justintimetodiveintothe s o
ComingSummer2026
TheNew&ImprovedChristmasRunPool!
We’remakingasplashinabigway!Aftera completerenovation,ChristmasRunPoolwill reopenin2026withexcitingupgrades,modern amenities,andafreshnewlook,designedwith families,swimmers,andcommunityfuninmind.
Thefinalplanswillfeatureanewslideandspray featuresperfectforkidsandtheyoungatheart!
Staytunedaswesharemoreupdatesandsneak peeksleadinguptoopeningday.Wecan’twait towelcomeyoubackforasummerfulloffun, laughter,andplentyofpoolsidememories
ENGINEERING
Thisprojectincludesthecontinuedrenewalofthedowntownstreetscapeby improvingtheeastsideofS.MarketStreetfromtheCitySquareSteakhousetoE. SouthStandcontinuingalongthenorthsideofE SouthSttothePeachAlley The estimatedconstructioncostis$300,000andworkshouldbecompletedbythe endofNovember2025.
ThisprojectincludestheinstallationofcurbandguttersalongSilverRoadanda sharedusepathwhichwillbealongportionsofSilverRoadandVenture Boulevard Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis$800,000andworkshouldbe completedbytheendofOctober,2025.
Thisprojectinvolvesupgradingapproximately76curbrampsacross21 intersectionstobringthemintoADAcompliancefortheroadwaysthatwillbe resurfacedin2026.Thestreets(intersections)includeBurbankRd(MillerLakeRd, HolmesBlvd,OakleyRd,KurtzSt,&ReedRd),E.WayneAve(GascheSt,AvalonRd, BellevueDr,&PalmerSt),W LibertySt(OakHillRoad,LoisAve,SayboltAve,Glenn Ave,&W LarwillSt),andE LarwillSt(N MarketSt,Alley,BuckeyeSt,Alley,BeverS, CurryCt,CollegeAve&SeveralotherAlleysthatwillrequireADAmatsonly).The estimatedconstructioncostis$600,000andworkshouldbecompletedbythe endofAugust,2025
Thisprojectconsistsoftheconstructionofturnlanesinbothdirectionsand shoulderwideningonAkronRoad(SR585)attheSchaefflerWayintersection, whichwillbeprimarilyfundedinpartbyTIDfunds Theestimatedcostofthis projectis$625,000andworkshouldbecompletedbytheendofAugust,2025.
Thisprojectconsistsofinteriorandexteriorpainting,tankrepairwork,cathodic protectionreplacement,andfoundationrepairworkforthe1,000,000gallon groundlevelwatertankonLongRoad.Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis $700,000andworkshouldbecompletedbytheendofAugust,2025.
Thisprojectincludesthereplacementofsanitarysewersandimprovementsto theDeerCreekliftstationtoserveplanneddevelopmentalongtheW Milltown Roadcorridor Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis$1,000,000andworkshouldbe completedbytheendoftheyear
Thisprojectconsistsoftheinstallationofapproximately1,350feetof8"PVC sanitaryseweralongOldmanRoadandtheeasternpropertyofWoosterHigh School.Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis$225,000andworkshouldbe completedbySeptember,2025.
Thisprojectincludesthereplacementofapproximately165feetofsanitary seweronDiamondAlley.Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis$150,000andwork shouldbecompletedbytheendoftheyear
PUBLIC PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WINTER ROAD TREATMENT
TheCityofWoosterhasfullydeployednew snowandicecontrolequipment,includinga brinemakerand1,200-gallonapplicator, thankstoa$27,799matchinggrantfromthe OhioEPA’sH2OhioRiverInitiative.Thissystem allowsformorepreciseandenvironmentally friendlywinterroadtreatment,helping reducesaltusewhilekeepingstreetssafe.
TheAccuBatchBrineMakerisfully automatedtoproducea23.3%brine solutionandcanbeoperatedbyasingle person24/7.Itwillsupportnotonlycity streetsbutalsooperationsatWooster CommunityHospitalandWoosterCity Schools.
TheCity’sstrategyincludesbothantiicingandpre-wettingtechniques, allowingformoreproactiveand effectivesnowandicecontrol.Liquid applicationratesrangefrom20to40 gallonsperlanemile,and6-8gallons pertonwhenpre-wettingsolidsalt.
“Thisinvestmentinmodernequipment representsamajorwinforbothpublic safetyandenvironmentalprotection,” saidCurtDenning,PublicProperties Manager.“We'reproudtobereducing costswhilealsodoingourpart toprotectlocalstreams, rivers,andlakes.”
Formoreinformation, contactCurtDenningat cdenning@woosterohcom
PartofProject25H2OSALT-61E,this initiativesupportsthecity'seffortsto reducechlorideuseduringwinter operationsbyusingbrine,aliquiddeicer. Thenewequipmentincludes:
AccuBatchBrineMaker
CamionIceMasterT-Series1,200gallontankapplicator
CamionIceMasterU-Series100-gallon tankapplicator
KeyBenefitsoftheBrineSystem
Cutsrocksaltusageby20–25%
Reduceslabor,material,and equipmentcosts
Lessensenvironmentalimpactby minimizingcalciumchloriderunoffinto waterways
Preventsicefrombondingto pavementandimprovesmelting efficiency
Reducesthescatterandbounceof traditionalroadsalt
COMMUNITY ROOTED IN SERVICE
WehadagreatdayonApril 12thwith45membersfrom WoosterNazareneassisting DanYarnell,BryanFortune, ChrisRichardson,andJoe AvilafromtheCityofWooster withmulchinstallationatOak HillPark.Withtheirhelp,we installedapproximately80 yardsofmulch,aswellas removed38treestakesfrom our2024treeplantingproject.
AhugeTHANKYOUtothis incrediblegroupofvolunteers fortheirhardworkand communityspirit!Yourefforts arehelpingkeepWooster's parksbeautifulandthriving.
NewontheSquare!
AgenerousdonationfromS FundattheWayneCounty CommunityFoundationma possibletoinstallanewtab northeastquadrantofdown Wooster,addingawelcomi forthecommunitytoenjoy
nParkRe
hDayCleanupBoosts htsFieldPark
rthDay,ahardworkingvolunteer omGoodwillIndustrieshelped upKnightsFieldParkinWooster, gouttwofulltruckloadsoftrash hewoodsnearTheodoreStreet hankstoAmberTrostandthe illteamfororganizingtheeffort akingsuchabigimpactWe’re ulforyourpartnership!
31,CohanPa atedvolunteerteamledbyKayeParsonsand ersoftheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints ster.
upgenerouslydonatedtheirtimetospread20 fmulcharoundtheplaygroundandplant wersinalandscapebed,bringingnewlifeand tothepark.
