(Meeting Updates - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

BELPRE – Belpre City Council approved several measures during its regular meeting Monday evening.

Council approved third readings of a resolution supplementing Year 2025 appropriations and an amendment to user charges under sewage.

Council also approved second readings on several measures. One was an ordinance establishing authorized manpower for Calendar Year 2026. Mayor Susan Abdella said that ordinance would be amended prior to the third reading at the request of the state auditor to reflect what is paid to non-union employees.

Another ordinance provides for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $965,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring real property to house personnel and functions of the city Water Department. This involves the city’s purchase of the former Badger Lumber Co. building.

Council also approved second reading of a resolution authorizing the Belpre Auditor to enter into an engagement letter with Squire Patton Boggs LLP to act as bond counsel for the city and and ordinance approving the edition and inclusion of certain ordinances as part of the various component codes of the codified ordinances of Belpre to bring the city’s codes up to date with changes since the last such update.

Council also approved the first reading of a temporary appropriation ordinance for Calendar and Fiscal Year 2026.

In her report to council, Abdella said a dedication and ribbon cutting was held Saturday for the Haddie Playground, the new all-inclusive playground in Civitan Park. Abdella thanked everyone who came out and supported the project as well all those that made it possible, including the Belpre Area Community Foundation, The Haddie Fund, The Washington County Behavioral Development District and others.

Abdella said there will be a number of holiday activities this year in Belpre, from the parade to a Polar Express interactive movie on Dec. 13. A Christmas Market will be held in Civitan Park every Saturday from 5-9 p.m. beginning Nov. 27 through Dec. 20. Abdella said this is the first year for the Christmas Market and vendors are being sought.

Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com