New Bremen Council Hears ODOT Project Delay, Approves Equipment Purchase and Insurance Change

NEW BREMEN — New Bremen Mayor Bob Parker says village council received several updates during its latest meeting, including a delay to a state resurfacing project, action on equipment for the electric department, and recognition of a longtime employee’s retirement.

Parker said Village Administrator Brent Richter reported that ODOT’s resurfacing project for State Route 274 has been pushed back again. He said the work had originally been scheduled earlier, then delayed to 2023, and has now been postponed until 2027.

He said CenterPoint will be doing gas line work along State Route 274, and because of that, the paving project is being reevaluated.

Parker also said New Bremen is no longer part of ODOT District 7 and is now in District 1 out of Lima. He said Lima officials have been briefed on the projects affecting the village.

He added that the State Route 66 resurfacing project remains on schedule for 2027, with work planned from Bremen Street to the Shelby County line.

Parker also praised the village electric department after New Bremen received a thank you from the Village of Minster for mutual aid during a recent power outage. He said New Bremen crews spent 15 hours in Minster helping with restoration work.

In other business, Parker said council approved a third reading for the purchase of a Versalift VST 6000 bucket truck for the electric department. He said the new truck will replace a 1997 model and will provide higher reach and greater lifting capacity.

Council also passed a third reading on an ordinance dealing with the village’s tax exempt status and how that status may be used by village employees.

Parker said council also held a reading on the village’s medical insurance renewal. He said the village chose an alternative gap plan with a 5.68 percent increase for next year, compared with a 16.5 percent increase under the current Anthem plan.

He said the move was made as part of an effort to control costs going forward.

Council also accepted the retirement of Dave Goodwin after 44 years of service with the Village of New Bremen. Parker thanked Goodwin for his years of work on behalf of the village.