BELPRE — Belpre City Council held its first regular meeting of the new year Monday evening, following its organizational meeting Jan. 1 to swear in elected officials.

During Monday’s meeting, council approved all three readings of a resolution for supplemental appropriations.

In her regular report to council, Mayor Susan Abdella said there are several projects in the works. The 10-inch water line replacement project is ongoing, while the water tank project remains at a pause as the city waits for recommendations of the geotechnical firm.

The SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) project is being built and bench tested, with onsite installation scheduled for late April. The lighting and some electrical work at the fire station upgrade has been completed, she said.

Abdella also gave a State of the City Address, touching on many of the positives she observed in Belpre over the past year and giving an update on several issues. She believes two upcoming projects are unique opportunities for Belpre, the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a new school facility.

“Each of these require various components to be successful and fill a need in our community.

The key components to our growth and future are housing, infrastructure and public services. In order for us to look at our housing shortage we received an $85,000 grant to help us with housing technical assistance. We are working with a consulting firm to look at opportunities around planned developments, accessory dwelling units, zoning codes, and preapproved housing plans for infill housing. We are excited that we will have this information for council review in the spring,” Abdella said.

In 2025, the city of Belpre received several grants to support several efforts. The grants awarded totaled $1,465,000 for housing technical assistance, the Rockland lift station, the inclusive playground, source water protection and a wellfield generator.

Abdella said important projects and outstanding current grants for 2026 include: Fire and EMS levy set to expire in 2026; Rockland Lift Station – $700,000 grant received for this work; complete lead line survey so Belpre can participate in the funding opportunities for line replacement; begin planning the State Route 7 sewer line replacement that was cited by EPA 10 years ago; critical valve identification grant; traffic study around Stone, Campus, Maple and Washington; fire equipment – for turnout gear; and more.

A Finance/Audit Committee meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 for the purpose of discussing the first committee meeting on the budget.