NEW BREMEN – The New Bremen Council moved forward on a land transfer that will result in a new business in the village’s industrial park.

Passed was the first reading of an ordinance to transfer two acres of industrial park land to the Community Improvement Association. The CIC will then work with a business seeking to build a 5,000-square-foot cold storage facility. The name of the business was not revealed nor the anticipated sale price.

Also, council agreed to explore possible ways to expand the council chambers. Fiscal officer Amy Speelman and Village Administrator Chris Dicke will be charged with working with architectural firm Garmann and Miller to find alternative plans.

Dicke also told council about village projects. She said she is working with the village public works department to possibly obtain a new front loader from the state of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing program. She said the department currently has two backhoes and if they move forward with the front loader they would sell the older of the two backhoes. She said she would have a decision made by the March council meeting.

Dicke also said they will soon be submitting an Ohio Public Works grant application for the reconstruction of Jefferson Street. The project would be located between State Route 274 to Bremenfest Park and involve replacement of sanitary and storm sewers, electrical lines, pavement and curb and gutter. Dicke said the initial request would be for $1.120,000, half of it as a loan and the other as a grant.

In other action, council approved a first reading of an ordinance adopting the America Legal Publishing Ohio Basic Code 2020 edition. They also approved a third reading of an ordinance to transfer back to the Income Tax fund $122,866.54 in remaining Capital Project monies from completed projects, including the Police/EMS building and the Wierth Ditch work.

Finally, council tabled a decision on installing stamped concrete at the intersection of state Route 66 and 274.