New Bremen Leaders Reflect on a Busy 2025 and Look Ahead to Growth

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New Bremen Mayor Bob Parker and Village Administrator Brent Richter recently joined host Kevin Sandler on Spectrum to look back on 2025 and outline what’s ahead for the village in the new year.

A big change at Village Hall came early, as council filled a vacancy created by a resignation. Parker said there was strong interest in the open seat, and council ultimately had to choose between two very qualified candidates, with the new member expected to begin serving January 1.

On the public safety side, the village is moving forward with plans to replace two aging fire trucks — a 2003 pumper and a 2001 rescue vehicle — with a single new apparatus. The project is in the budget for next year, but due to long lead times, the new truck is not expected to arrive until 2027 or 2028. New Bremen will need to commit roughly half the cost up front just to secure the order.

Infrastructure was another major theme in 2025. Herman and Pearl Streets were paved this fall and are now complete. Richter said the village also finished work in the Vine Park and Walnut Street area, including new water, sewer, storm, gas lines, curb, gutter, and sidewalks. While construction season brought the usual detours, dust, and parking headaches, both men said residents are pleased with the finished product.

The village also partnered with ODOT on repairs to a culvert along State Route 274 on the east side of town. While the state relined its portion, New Bremen replaced several hundred feet of connected storm pipe in its own system at the same time. At the wastewater plant, the village continues working with the Ohio EPA on phosphorus reduction to help limit algae growth in Lake Erie, where local runoff eventually flows.

On the utility side, residents saw a 6 percent electric rate increase in 2025 — the first adjustment since 2019. Richter noted that while power costs themselves have been relatively stable, the price of key equipment has risen sharply. Residential transformers that once cost about $2,500 now run closer to $9,000, and the rate increase is aimed at keeping up with those capital costs and maintaining reserve funds for new development and replacements.

Growth and development were also front and center. The village acquired about 90 acres from the Greg and Yolanda Schmeising estate on the same side of town as the industrial park. Parker said the purchase positions New Bremen for future expansion, noting that land opportunities like this don’t come along every year. For now, the acreage will be leased for farming.

New housing is also on the way. South of New Bremen High School, a new street with 29 residential lots was completed this year, and those lots are now available for anyone looking to build in the village. Parker said demand remains strong, with many people wanting to move back and make New Bremen home.

Regulatory work also kept staff busy. Updated FEMA flood maps affected roughly 68 parcels in the village, prompting New Bremen to join the National Flood Insurance Program so affected property owners can obtain coverage. The village is also working with Auglaize County on address verification and mapping to support Next Gen 911, helping police, fire, and EMS respond more quickly and accurately.

Public safety saw several milestones in 2025. Parker praised Officer Derek Dennis for receiving an FBI commendation for his work on a major homicide investigation. The village also used opioid settlement funds to help purchase and train a new police K-9, Mishka, along with the specialized vehicle needed for the unit. On the EMS side, New Bremen marked the 50th anniversary of its EMS service with a well-attended open house. While the fire department is part of the village, EMS operates as a separate private corporation, and village leaders acknowledged that staffing and training demands may eventually require a shift toward a more full-time model.

In recreation and quality of life, a committee is studying ways to reconfigure diamonds at Bremen Fest Park to handle heavy demand for baseball and softball field time, especially in the spring. At the community pool, years of water leaks were finally addressed, with this past summer being the first season without daily water loss. The village installed a new pump and motor to meet flow requirements, and the YMCA of Greater Dayton continues to manage pool operations and staffing. While the family day pass was eliminated, season pass prices remained unchanged, and Parker emphasized that the pool — like parks, diamonds, and courts — is an important community amenity even if it doesn’t generate profit.

Downtown, New Bremen added electric vehicle charging stations near the library, Bicycle Museum, 17 West, the Lockkeeper’s House, and the pavilion. The stations charge 38.5 cents per kilowatt hour, and once a vehicle is finished charging, drivers have 30 minutes to move before a loitering fee kicks in, ensuring the spaces stay available for others.

The year also included signature community traditions, such as the annual tree lighting at Lackawanna Park. Parker said this year’s ceremony was especially memorable, with snow beginning to fall right as the event started, creating a classic Christmas scene.

As 2025 winds down, Parker and Richter told Sandler they’re now focused on the budget process — sorting out what projects can be funded in the coming year and which may need to wait for future cycles. They closed the conversation by wishing residents and their families a Merry Christmas and thanking the many people who help make New Bremen a strong and growing community.