(Photo by Gretchen Dowler) From left, Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella, Safety Service Director Brian Rhodes, Belpre City Council member Penne Riffle, council member B.J. Cassady and council member Dave Ferguson attend the Finance/Audit Committee meeting prior to Monday’s regular City Council meeting.

BELPRE — Belpre City Council met for its regular meeting Monday night, and swore in a new Belpre Police officer.

Police Chief Michael Stump announced the Belpre Police Department is fully staffed and also recognized new Belpre Police Officer Jared Richards, who was previously with the Marietta Police Department.

“Jared has a wealth of knowledge, is a great addition to the team and has already hit the ground running. For us to get someone with his knowledge and experience is just a huge blessing to the city. We’re very fortunate and glad to have you here,” said Stump. “We’re fortunate that we have such a great community to work in and for your support over the last couple of years. We’re building an environment that is now becoming a place that people want to come to. We are a team and that’s the most important thing.”

Washington County Commissioner Greg Nohe was also there to congratulate and welcome Richards.

Before Richards was sworn in, council accepted the meeting minutes for the Jan. 12 meeting and cancellation of the Jan. 26 meeting.

In her regular report to council, Mayor Susan Abdella said the 2026 budget is being finalized and infrastructure planning is being completed for current projects. The city is also looking at the next key components of the city infrastructure upgrades, including completing a water model for the city that will look at needs when adding volume and supply to the water system. They are also working on the Rockland lift station along with those on Ohio 7 for planning of replacing the water and sewer line from Orion to Clement.

“The line replacement must be replaced within five years, as mandated by the EPA and has been on the table for 15 years,” Abdella said. “The evaluation of the lift station will satisfy their first reporting obligation of the year.”

Abdella also announced the first America 250 planning meeting was held last week and 15 people attended from various organizations in preparation for a variety of events to celebrate the United States’ birthday.

“We are the second city in the Northwest Territory and our Famers Castle Museum is on the state of Ohio America 250 Underground Railroad Trail,” said Abdella.

Safety Service Director Brian Rhodes also gave his report to council and said there have been 13 code actions and seven permits already issued this year. Rhodes also updated council on the lightning strike at the well field, including that all documentation has been sent to USI’s Rob Beglin and will recoup some of the funds used to complete the repairs from the damage done.

“Each of the wells are now covered and will remain on the schedules in the future,” Rhodes said. “After discussion with Jeff Carr at EDG, it was determined to cover each of the five wells at $300,000.”

There were no major incidents as a result of the snow storm, according to Rhodes, however the city’s F-450 backed into a guy wire and caused damage to the salt spinner.

“Streets Supervisor Chris Barringer advised that it is operational but not working correctly and will be obtaining a quote and will have it repaired,” said Rhodes.

Rhodes also said a resident’s vehicle was dented by a chunk of ice thrown from a city snow plow and the resident presented two quotes for repairs. Quotes were also obtained by Rhodes and Abdella for minor leaks in the roof at Station 1 as well as the city building. He also mentioned the city’s salt supply is being monitored closely, as there are two orders pending for more supply. Due to inclement weather, the water line projects have not been able to continue but should start back up next Monday. Council voted and accepted that two decommissioned salt trucks and their snow plows were voted to be taken to a scrap yard by Rhodes.

City Auditor Erica Campbell gave her regular report and said payroll and revenue were being finalized, line items were added and updated to the 2026 budget, reimbursement for the Ohio Source Water Protections signage grant was submitted and a meeting was held with Washington County Auditor Matthew Livengood to check in about 2025 and 2026 procedures. Council voted and approved the bill adjustment report for December 2025.

December 2025 Treasurer’s report and 2025 Year-to-Date Treasurer’s Report were also approved by council.

Council President Larry Martin recognized the street crew for their work during the recent snow storm.

Finance/Audit Committee chairman Dave Ferguson shared that the committee finished reviewing the first 11 pages of the budget. A Finance/Audit Committee meeting will be 6 p.m. Monday and 6 p.m. Feb. 23 before the next council meeting.

Council member Bill Locke, chairman of the Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer Committee, expanded on Martin’s recognition of the street crew and said they had 145 hours of overtime during the snow storm and used over 200 tons of salt between their three trucks. Locke also mentioned that lights at the end of the Belpre Bridge were recently replaced.

Utilities Committee chairman John Ambrozy shared that he had attended a meeting on the update for the water main pipe replacement project. Council member B.J. Cassady, Planning and Zoning and Economic Development committees chairman, also announced he attended a South Eastern Ohio Port Authority meeting with City Law Director Tom Webster. Rules Committee chairwoman Penne Riffle asked to add the Sober Living Moratorium back into her committee and will be trying to pass some form of legislation on it as well.

Council entered into executive session at the end of Monday’s council meeting.

The next meeting for Belpre City Council will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Belpre City Hall in Council Chambers.