City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; your pets’ holiday pictures are here!

The Nelsonville Dog Park Board and Hocking College Boarding & Grooming are holding a holiday pet picture fundraising event. Get your pet’s picture taken for the holidays on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. The event is being held at the Hocking College Boarding & Grooming facility located at 222 Myers Street in Nelsonville, across the street from McDonalds on East Canal Street. Pictures cost a donation of $5.00, larger donations are also welcome. All proceeds will go to support the Nelsonville Dog Park.

For the health and safety of all, dogs are required to be licensed and current with vaccinations. Proof of the following core vaccinations must be provided for any dog(s) and shown in printed or digital format upon entering the facility:

Dogs over 16 months of age:

• Rabies (1 or 3 Year)
• DHPP (1 or 3 year) (Distemper Virus, Parvovirus, parainfluenza, Adenovirus-2)
• Bordetella within the last 12 months.

Puppies (4-16 months):

• At least 2-3 DHPP’s that were given 2-4 weeks apart
• Bordetella vaccine
• Rabies 1 Year vaccine

Recommended but not required:

• 1 year Lepto is recommended for our area
• 1 year Canine Influenza Virus or Lyme vaccines
• Negative/NOP Fecal exam within the last 12 months
• Veterinary approved oral brand of Flea & Tick preventative

Dogs that have a history of aggressive behaviors with humans or other dogs are not permitted.

Dogs in heat are not permitted.

The City of Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office would like to remind Nelsonville residents of the City code that exist requiring the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks.

If a complaint is filed and valid, a violation notice will be issued to the owner. If violations exist, a violation notice is issued giving the property owner time to make corrections. If violations are not corrected in consultation with the Department of Law, legal proceedings can be initiated against the property owner.

§9.14.05. Streets and sidewalks.

It shall be the duty of the owner, or occupant of each and every parcel of real estate in the City abutting upon a sidewalk to keep said sidewalk abutting his premises free and clear of snow and ice, and to remove there from all snow and ice accumulated thereon within a reasonable time, which will ordinarily not exceed twelve (12) hours, after the abatement of any storm during which said snow and ice may have accumulated.

Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor, and if the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of this section, the offender shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. 

Each day this section is violated shall constitute a separate offense.

Please contact Austin Kelley, Code Enforcement Officer, if you have any questions or concerns. 8AM- 4PM Monday/Friday (740) 753-1314 or administration@cityofnelsonville.com.

The Nelsonville Utilities Office would like to remind our customers to be prepared for cold temperatures. By following the cold weather tips below, you may help prevent your water lines from freezing.

Before Freezing Weather

• Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with Styrofoam cover, rags or paper.
• Cover vents around the foundation of your home.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and eliminating drafts near doors.
• Know the location of your water shut-off valve and test it regularly. If a pipe breaks, you won’t want to have to find it or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawlspace, on a wall facing the street.
• Insulate pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before. Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements or crawlspaces can be wrapped with pieces of insulation.
• Don’t overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional on how to select and apply heat tape.
• For outside water meters, keep the lid to the meter pit closed tightly and let any snow that falls cover it.
• Snow acts as insulation, so don’t disturb it. Be sure the meter box is not broken, missing or out of place.
• Report all broken or missing covers. If you didn’t get your sprinkler system off and drained this year, make sure to check for leaks when you turn on the system next spring.

In Sub-Freezing Weather

• Drip outside faucets 24 hours a day (5 drops per minute). This is not necessary unless temperatures are expected to be 28 degrees or below for at least 4 hours. (Be sure to turn off the faucets after the threat of freezing weather.)
• Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
• If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable to winter’s worst.
• In sustained sub-freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets.
• Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past.

 If You Are Not Going To Be Home

• Shut water off at the property owner’s cut-off valve.
• Drain all outside water faucets if your house will be unoccupied for several days (leave outside faucets open).
• Or leave the home heating system on at a low setting.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
• Keep your thermostat set above 55 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days.

If your pipes freeze

• Shut off the water immediately. Don’t attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
• Do not turn off water at the meter. Once you open the meter pit, the water meter will freeze instantly when it comes in contact with air. If you need the meter turned off, contact the utilities office to have a city worker turn off the meter. If after hours call 740-753-2151, someone will be out to assist you, normal after hour fee of $150.00 after hour fee will be applied to your account.
• Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater, or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
• Remember: When thawing things, slower is better. Pipes warmed too fast may break anyway. Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks. Renters and tenants may be responsible for personal property damage caused by broken water pipes during severe weather conditions. Residents should contact property management/landlord or maintenance personnel to locate property owner’s cut-off valve and find ways to avoid pipe breakage during a freeze.

The Nelsonville Division of Fire is proud to again host the annual Jim Conrad memorial Christmas toy giveaway!  The event is open to all children who live in the Nelsonville-York School district. All you need to do is show up at the firehouse on Wednesday, December 10 or Thursday, December 11, 2025, between 5:00 P.M and 7:00P.M. to receive a toy!  Parents will need to bring a photo ID to verify their address.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each child will receive one (1) toy. Santa will be on site for the kids. Drivers should be patient and expect traffic delays on Lake Hope Drive around the Fire Department. 

The Nelsonville Division of Fire will be holding their annual Breakfast Buffet on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The breakfast will be held at the Nelsonville Elks Lodge located at 53 Rocky Boot Way, in Nelsonville. Breakfast will be served from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. The price for breakfast is $9.00 for adults and children under 3 are free. For delivery or pickup orders please call 740-731-5325.

The public is encouraged to come out and eat a good breakfast before enjoying their day long activities in Nelsonville. Come out and support your local fire department.

REQUEST FOR BIDDERS

Sealed proposals for franchise(s) in the collection, transportation and proper disposal of refuse, rubbish, and recyclables of Residential Householders AND/OR Commercial Users in the City of Nelsonville, Ohio, will be received by the City of Nelsonville, Ohio, at the City Manager’s Office, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, Ohio until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025. A pre-bid meeting will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

And at the time and place will be publicly opened and read aloud.  All the bids will be considered valid until ninety (90) days after the opening date, although not accepted or rejected. Envelopes should be plainly marked “RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL FRANCHISED REFUSE, RUBBISH AND RECYCLABLES REMOVAL SERVICE BID”. The term of the franchise shall consist of three (3) years. A copy of the bid specifications is available upon request in the City Municipal Building.

Each bid shall contain the full name and address of each person, company, firm, or corporation interested in the same, and shall be accompanied by a bond in an amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) or a certified check, cashier’s check, or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) made payable to the City of Nelsonville, conditioned that if the bid is accepted, a Contract will be entered into within ten (10) days after notice of acceptance.

The City of Nelsonville, Ohio reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and also to waive bid technical defects as the interest of the City may require.

BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL OF NELSONVILLE, OHIO.

Fred Holmes
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF NELSONVILLE, OHIO