08/25/2026
Mayor’s Report for Monday August 24, 2026
~ Bringing Animal Ordinances Up to Date
To align with State regulations and address citizens’ concerns, Council committees are considering revisions to two City animal control regulations. Ordinance 20-2026 would mirror the State of Ohio’s requirements for rabies control, animal bite reporting and animal quarantine. The local law would be enforced by the City Health Commissioner and give the Commissioner the authority to issue quarantine and other public health orders related to rabies and animal bites. Ordinance 20 was assigned to Council’s Safety, Health and Service committee.
Ordinance 22-2026 amends the City’s existing law that covers animals running loose and those that fly. Pigeons would join ducks, turkeys, chickens and other fowl prohibited from running at large. The revisions are the result of residents’ safety and health concerns expressed at a recent City Council meeting. Ordinance 22 was assigned to Council’s Special and Contact committee.
~ The City’s Trick or Treat Night Will Be on Halloween
With football season underway and the annual Tuscarawas County Fair less than a month away, the fall season is just around the corner. So are plans for Halloween. Mark your calendars, Trick or Treat Night in New Philadelphia is on Halloween this year: on Saturday, October 31st from 6 pm to 8 pm.
~ The Date of the Downtown Quadrant Project’s Ribbon-Cutting Is Confirmed
Also mark on your calendar: Wednesday, September 23rd at 1pm. That’s the date and time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially mark the completion of the year-long downtown quadrants’ redesign project. All are invited to attend the historic event. The $2.9 million project was funded by Governor DeWine’s Appalachian Community Grant Program and administrated by the Ironton – Lawrence County Communication Action Organization. The Governor used $500 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to fund what he termed “transformational projects” in Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties.
~ Time to Celebrate Our County’s Cultures
The NPact (New Philadelphia Advancing our Community Together) organization will hold its second annual Multi-Cultural Festival on Saturday, September 5th from 11 am to 5pm. The downtown event will be held outside at 1st Drive and Allen Lane SW, between Fresh the Market and Alley Cats Marketplace. NPact says the event will feature food from the cultures represented in the county, Polynesian dancers dressed in their traditional costumes, and German polka and Cajun zydeco music. More information can be found on the NPact page.
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