Over 40 individuals filled the Vienna Community Building for Thursday evening’s Vienna City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

VIENNA – A crowd of more than 40 people filled Thursday evening’s Vienna City Council meeting, hosted at the Vienna Community Building, where concerns and questions about a sober living home took center stage before the council moved on to budget and legal matters.

Two residents, Warren Peascoe and Judith Peascoe, spoke during the public forum about the Oxford House operating in a Vienna subdivision, urging both understanding and adherence to city ordinances. Their comments came one week before a public informational meeting on the issue scheduled by the city.

Warren Peascoe encouraged city leaders to approach the discussion with empathy, sharing his personal history to emphasize the importance of support systems. He urged council to consider, “People have taken a chance on me, and I think it should be played forward. And so I hope that we can treat all of our neighbors with the spirit of Marshall Rosenberg, who encouraged us to ask this question: How can we make life still more wonderful? How can we make life still more wonderful? And I’d like you to consider that,” he said.

Judith Peascoe thanked Mayor Chad Emrick for moving Thursday’s meeting to a larger space due to public interest and for scheduling the upcoming Oxford House presentation. She shared findings about Oxford House operations, noting that residents must maintain sobriety, pay their own living expenses, participate in chores and typically live in democratically run homes of six to 12 people of the same gender. She said research shows nearby neighbors generally respond positively and that property values are “not usually affected.” She added that the planned 10-person occupancy complies with Vienna’s group home ordinance.

Council later entered executive session to discuss two major legal items — a resolution authorizing Emrick to engage outside counsel for a potential real estate matter, and a separate resolution permitting City Attorney Russ Skogstad to proceed with litigation to enforce specific city ordinances. After returning to open session, council voted to approve both resolutions, passing them unanimously and underscoring the city’s intent to ensure its ordinances are properly upheld.

Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick recognizes veterans at Thursday evening’s Vienna City Council meeting held at the Vienna Community Building. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Earlier in the meeting, before formal business began, Emrick recognized veterans in attendance and asked them to stand. Veterans Day was celebrated Tuesday.

“Veterans are very special… because it’s the sacrifices that they have made… that provide the freedom that you and I are able to enjoy,” he said.

Council approved a resolution authorizing an $8,500 donation from opioid settlement funds to Westbrook Health Services on behalf of the Wood County Prevention Coalition to support youth anti-opioid activities. Councilman Tony Morrison recused himself from the discussion, and Councilman Harry Deitzler abstained, noting he served as attorney in the underlying matter. The measure passed with affirmative votes from Emrick, Councilmen Jim Leach and Henry Sasyn and Recorder Rod Smith.

Treasurer Paul Thornton said the funding will support a January bowling event, a February skating party and a March recreational program while the coalition seeks additional contributions from Wood County and Parkersburg.

Council unanimously approved General Fund Budget Revision No. 4 and passed a separate resolution allowing the city to reuse remaining capital funds from the McDonough Wildlife Refuge walking track seal-coating project for additional paving in the parks. Emrick said the work will continue at Jackson Park and other locations.

Judith Peascoe discusses how Oxford Houses operate at Thursday’s Vienna City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

A capital transfer of $375,000 from the city’s reserve to the Street Department for infrastructure improvements was also approved. Emrick said the funds supplement, rather than replace, the city’s $900,000 annual allocation for water, wastewater and road projects.

Council accepted a bid of $31,483.20 from Intuitive Data and Technology Products to equip two 2026 Dodge Durango police pursuit-rated utility vehicles. Officials said installation should proceed quickly once the vehicles arrive.

Earlier in the meeting, the Deitzler Family Foundation announced a $50,000 donation to expand the Rosemar Road soccer field to full Olympic size. Representatives said they want to ensure local girls’ teams have equal access to quality facilities. Emrick said the city will contribute additional resources to complete the project.

The meeting concluded with a financial report from the treasurer, who said Vienna’s accounts remain in order and that the city “is financially sound to pay its bills.”

A town hall to discuss the Oxford House is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. in the Vienna Community Building.

Warren Peascoe urges council members to approach the planned Oxford House with empathy during Thursday night’s Vienna City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com

From left, Harry and Kathe Deitzler present a $50,000 donation to convert a ballfield to a soccer field during Thursday evening's Vienna City Council meeting at the Vienna Community Building. Council also passed a resolution authorizing the city attorney to proceed with litigation to enforce the city’s ordinances. (Photo by Gwen Sour)