City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog

The City of Nelsonville water department will start the City’s water meter replacement project on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, and will last approximately four months. During this project residents will experience brief water interruptions to their house while the new water meter is being replaced.

Once your water meter is replaced, it is recommended you flush your home water system for 5 to 10 minutes. This is best done by using an outside spigot or your bathtub. DO NOT use a sink faucet because they have filter screens. By running your water system for 5 to 10 minutes, it will clear any sediment from your water lines. Individual water meter replacements in Nelsonville should only take about 15 minutes per meter.

The Village of Buchtel water meter replacements will begin on Monday, October 18, 2021. Buchtel water meter replacements will take longer because new meter pits are also being installed.

When the new system is completed the water meters will be read two to three times a day using a new wireless system. Water customers will also be able to log into a website to view their water usage at any time. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this project.

The Nelsonville 2020 Census Recount was concluded prior to the statutory deadline on Monday, October 11, 2021. All recount enumerators have returned their books and attested to oaths and affidavits as required by the Ohio revised code. With all books and lists in hand, the count of the required material and verified to ensure no duplicates, submission errors, etc., was completed.

After reviewing all the materials, The City Auditor has determined that there are 5,373 correctly placed names and addresses throughout the submitted documents. Auditor Sappington has stated this is more than sufficient to maintain city status. This census recount and report has formally and wholly fulfilled all requirements to challenge the original census count and proclamation under ORC 703.02-703.05. The Auditor, City Manager, and other invited individuals will turn this information into the Ohio Secretary of State’s office on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

A big THANK YOU to: the Nelsonville community and residents and businesses, the recount enumerators and organizers Mallory Swaim, Kevin Dotson, Becky Barber, Justin Booth, and Cory Taylor, The Nelsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Nelsonville Rotary, Texas Roadhouse, Dan Pfeiffer, Nelsonville’s rental community, Betty Jo Parsley, Nelsonville Auditor’s Office employees, the Nelsonville City Manager, The Nelsonville Police and Fire and Utility Departments and their departments heads, Athens County Treasurer Ric Wasserman, Athens County Commissioner Chris Chmiel, Athens County Prosecutor Blackburn, Nelsonville-York City Schools, Hocking College, and many others. 

The Nelsonville Fire department announces that a private party will be having fireworks tonight Saturday, October 9, 2021, around Rocky Boots and the train depot between 7:30PM and 9:30PM. The fireworks display is fully licensed and inspected. This is a private display, please do not be alarmed, and do not call emergency services to complain about the fireworks. Thank you!

The census count matters because,

• Less population results in less money which can affect the City’s operating budget.
• State grants for basic infrastructure like water, sewer and streets are based on population.
• Nelsonville relies heavily on grants to fund infrastructure projects.
• Grants for public safety projects can also associated to the City’s population count.

Census results can affect funding for many programs aimed at school-age children, among them:

• The National School Lunch Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that funds free or reduced-price lunches for low-income students.
• Title 1 grants for local schools, a U.S. Department of Education program that helps schools with a high percentage of students from low-income households.
• Grants for state special education programs.
• The Head Start Program for low-income preschool children.
• Teacher training, such as the Department of Education’s Improving Teacher Quality State Grant available to schools across the country.

The 2020 US census showed Nelsonville’s population at only 4,612.

Athens County’s had a 62.5 percent response rate to the 2020 US census.

Nelsonville’s population is well above the threshold of 5,000 residents needed to qualify as a city and could potentially be as high as 6,000!

If the community stands up and responds strongly, we have this in the bag!

The census count matters because,

• Less population results in less money which can affect the City’s operating budget.
• State grants for basic infrastructure like water, sewer and streets are based on population.
• Nelsonville relies heavily on grants to fund infrastructure projects.
• Grants for public safety projects can also associated to the City’s population count.

The Nelsonville 2020 Census Recount has started. The census recount will continue until Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 7:00PM. Recount canvassers will be going door to door each day from 10:00AM until 7:00PM only. All canvassers will be wearing a “Nelsonville Census Recount Volunteer” ID badge. The only information that will be needed from residents is the names of all persons living in a household. No other information will be required.

Anyone who would like to volunteer should meet at the Nelsonville City Building in the utilities office each day at 10:00AM and at 4:00PM. Canvasser groups will organize and deploy from the City Building.

Help shape Nelsonville’s future, participate in the census recount!