City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog

The City of Nelsonville announces that the Electric Vehicle Charging stations located at 30 East Columbus Street will be closed beginning Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The charging stations will be closed until further notice for station maintenance and updating.

Crews will do their best to reopen the charging stations as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

This holiday season again looks very different than in years past. Because of this our crew members have made the decision to help Santa again and escort the jolly old elf throughout town. After a few meetings with Santa Claus and the Fire Pup we have a plan!

On Friday, December 12, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM firefighters will escort Santa Claus and the Fire Pup throughout town. We will cover most city streets so the kids can see Santa Claus and the Fire pup. The route is posted and will take approximately 1 hour to complete. As the Santa Parade leaves the fire station, it will head East looping around back to Lake Hope Drive. If there is a Fire or EMS call during this time we will continue after. We ask that everyone stay on their porch or in their yard to limit groups to households. Santa Claus looks forward to seeing all of you again this year!

The City of Nelsonville is happy to offer a two-tier water loss abatement program again in 2026 to help customers in a water leak emergency. Up to $500.00 in water leak coverage for a $30.00 annual fee, or up to $1,000.00 in water leak coverage for a $50.00 annual fee.

The Nelsonville Water Loss Abatement Program allows customers in good standing (i.e., current on all bills and charges), who have enrolled and paid the annual fee, to receive credit on their water bills for water loss, due to leaks, that occur on the customer side of the meter.

The annual fee per account is due in the office before a policy can begin. The abatement policy will be in effect for a water loss due to a leak occurring during the following 12 months.

This program applies only to the account holder (the name on the account) of a residential 5/8″-1″   meter set.

New customers can sign up for the policy at a prorated rate and coverage. New owner/tenants will be prorated to calculate the fee required and the maximum coverage. The fees are non-transferrable, and no refunds will be generated upon finalizing an account.

Landowners may sign-up for the abatement program for rental properties. The coverage would be for each water tap and would follow the same requirements and policies.

All costs for repairs remain the responsibility of the Owner/Account Holder.

The customer is required to notify the utility office when a water leak is discovered and when repairs are completed. Credit cannot be used to cover the cost of filling a pool. The district retains the right to require proof of repairs such as receipts.

If you would like to enroll in the Nelsonville Utility Department Abatement Program, please sign the form below and return to our office with your non-refundable annual fee as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact our office 740-753-2151.

This is your chance to be Clark Griswald and put together the best holiday light display in your neighborhood. Enter the 2025 Let It Glow Holiday Decorating Contest.

Contest participation is open to all residents and businesses in the City of Nelsonville and entry is FREE.

RULES:

• Limited to outdoor displays and decorations.
• Judging will be based on curb appeal as viewed from a vehicle.
• The contest is a fun, family-friendly event. Please keep your displays G-Rated and child friendly.
• Participants agree to have photos of their decorated homes and businesses posted on the city website, social media channels and a Let It Glow Holiday Decorations map.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

• Overall appearance 30%, (effort & attractiveness)
• Creativity 30%, (originality, unique design and/or use of storyline or theme)
• Lights and Decorations 25%, (display and placement)
• Special effects 15%, (sounds, animations, etc.)

To enter submit one (1) photo by Email to administration@cityofnelsonville.com. Please include in the Email your full name and address and display theme and description. Contest entry will be open until 12 noon, Friday, December 19, 2025. Neighborhoods will be judged for best decorated street in the city. Photos will be posted to Facebook for citizen votes, so get those photos sent early.

Please keep watching for additional announcements about prizes and opportunities.

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.