Mayor Judson A. Kline

This year has had its challenges, as well, including the retirements of our fire and police chiefs in May and August, respectively. In elevating their successors, assistant and deputy chiefs, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, new leadership brought discussions of strategic plans for each of the departments and then implementing these plans. Both departments are in great hands with new cultural imperatives breathing a new sense of purpose for each.

There was another challenge that shook the community this year. The situation involved the spray painting of two homes with racial epithets. However, through the great work of our police department and a strategic approach produced in cooperation with my office, the Orange PD and neighboring police departments, we were able to resolve this serious issue within a very short period, apprehending the perpetrator, and bringing him to justice to the relief of the families and neighborhood affected.

Going forward, there are several initiatives I am looking to pursue where community organizations could be important partners to achieve the desired outcome. These include:

• Developing a Veterans’ memorial plaza.
• Restoration, expansion, and enhancement of the existing amphitheater structure and space to make it a more vibrant and usable facility for community activities such as concerts, performances, and festivals.
• Continue working with the Fellowship City Church in Orange Village to re-energize the former Bethlehem Baptist School and produce a potential community center that will serve Orange Village, Orange Community Recreation’s Arts and Senior Center. There are many challenges to take this under-utilized facility and make it a valuable community asset.
• Other projects on the horizon we are pursuing include:
  • Redevelopment of Bahama Breeze Site,
  • Redevelopment Red Lobster Site,
  • Miles-Brainard Center Redevelopment,
  • Village Hall Remodel and Fire Department Facility,
  • Centennial Celebration Development,
  • Working with partner communities to develop the “First Call” program,
  • Chagrin Highlands South Life Sciences and Technology Park, and
  • Work with WRLC to create conservancy land and to link Orange Parks with the Metro Parks System through a grant we are pursuing with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission.

Many of these projects and programs have a place for our residents to participate. I hope you will take the opportunity to consider where you can bring value, expertise, and choose to participate.

As our community moves forward, our success is tied to the accomplishments of all our exceptional departments and their leaders. That in Mind, I want to summarize their achievements and vision. The full report of each department will be available on the Orange Village website. However, I would like to highlight significant actions of the various departments with my report here.

Orange Village is grateful to our Treasurer, Dana Kavander and Danding Wu for the conscientious work of our finance department as they manage to keep us on the fiscally solid ground.

• The departmental goal is to train Danding Wu on Treasurer’s duties as the department advances in its work of management of tax collections, payroll, procurement, and payments for Village services.
• Anna Girardi has served as a valuable contributor in managing payroll activities and maintaining smooth process of paying our employees.
• Dana led an efficient and comprehensive budgeting process for our 2025 budget.
• Treasurer’s office completed the year with a balance budget
• Looking to add a finance administrative assistant to enable the department to build for the future and develop a succession plan.
• Adopted and updated the VIP software which contributed to balancing the budget.
• One of the goals for 2025 is the review and update of the Villages Personnel Manual.

Orange Village is fortunate to have a knowledgeable and efficient Building Department that, I believe is second to none in processing permits, inspection of projects, and insuring public safety in the building and construction process. The team of Bob McLaughlin CBO, Brandon Hughes, Asst. CBO, and administrator Danette Gambarski have contributed to:

• The Building Department reviewed, permitted, inspected and approved construction of multiple larger Commercial projects including:
  • Completion of RH
  • Akron Children’s Hospital
  • Full renovation of Hampton Inn, all interior units and exterior
  • Three substantial projects at UH Minoff
  • Redevelopment of 28021 Miles Gas Station
  • Renovations at Courtyard by Marriott
  • Multiple Pinecrest renovations and buildouts
• Reviewed, permitted, inspected and approved construction of most of the residences at Lake Balaton -Phase 7 Lakes of Orange as well as four new infill dwellings on existing lots.
• The department continued to assist in the implementation of the Omni rezoning and development of the Weintraub Properties and related adjacent parcels at 271 and Harvard, including the Final Development Plan approval for The Canyons Residential neighborhood.

2024 Stats for Orange Village Building Department are available in the full report available on line.

2025 Goals 

 The Building Department will work with the Village’s newly appointed Village Arborist to coordinate enforcement of the new Tree Preservation Code

The Orange Village Fire Department with Chief Larry Genova, Assistant Chief Bill Mandich and its compliment officer core and fire fighters, EMT’s, and Paramedics serves our Village with skill and professionalism. I have had numerous residents share with me their stories of the service provided and how much they appreciate the actions and assistance of our department team. They have had a busy year addressing multiple calls and responses.

• Consolidated daily staffing to one station
  • Increased staffing at night (decreased staffing during day)
  • Implemented new daily assignments
  • Converted space into new officer dorm
• Hired additional personnel resulting in a full department roster
• Implemented a new training program and (Learning Management System) LMS for training.
• Migrated to a new (Report Management System) RMS (year-long project) for tracking and reporting on departmental activities.
• Successful (International Organization for Standards) ISO evaluation – no change in rating
• New fire engine ordered (late 2025 delivery)
• Replaced/upgraded vital equipment
  • Heart monitors
  • Gas meter
  • Portable Radios

2025 Goals include:

•  Create training and professional development opportunity
• Evaluate and explore improvements to new staffing model
• Collaborate with the police department and mutual aid partners to improve response to large scale events
• Explore expansion of the Fire Prevention Bureau
• Maintain our community involvement/PR events
• Host a 5K run to fund a scholarship in the name of Dan Fritz & John Prochazka
• Active medium & long-range planning to investigate facility needs for the next 30 years and produce resources to accommodate, operational, staffing, and physical needs in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Partner with Red Cross to develop a smoke detector installation program
• Apply for grants where available

The Orange Police Department under the new leadership of Chief Michael Roberts has made tremendous progress in reinvigorating its culture to make it one of the leading departments in our region. When officers are asked what do they like about the OVPD, their response is the quality of people, organization, support, and community appreciation. Their ability to address and resolve situations, quickly, safely, and satisfactorily contributes to the safety and security of Orange residents. This year has been both energizing and challenging where the department has addressed:

• Preparing and presenting a police department vision board with an emphasis on the importance on our people first with special interest to the members of the Orange Village Patrol Division.
• Restructured the operational hierarchy flow chart, created and filled the position of Deputy Chief of Police, and promoted a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, hired a Patrol Officer, hired a Detective, pursued appointment of transitional Prosecutor and promoted our Clerk to dual role as Clerk/Administrative Assistant.
• Instituted an internal affairs unit
• Assumed command of I.T. Department
• Initiated electronic inventory control program
• Improved efficiencies in records management, video data redaction and storage across all mediums
• Purchased a first of its kind dedicated Detective Bureau vehicle, equipped with all “CSI” equipment
• Purchased a replacement cruiser for the Chief of Police

2025 Goals include:

• Full policy/procedure review (Lexipol Evaluation)
• Pursue individual employee career development meetings
• Create and institute quarterly professional development checkup as opposed to annual reviews
• Vehicle fleet management (annual purchase mgmt.)
• Training – required and desired – RTF w/Fire Dept.
• Negotiate and Ratify Collective Bargaining Agreement of union contract
• Explore new initiatives – officer wellness, K-9 unit, community engagement opportunities
• Execute portable radio replacement program
• Council Members Orange Village Police Academy

The Service Department lead by Bob Zugan continues to provide the community with great service in road maintenance, Village projects, snow plowing, and a variety of special projects that enhance the quality of life in Orange. Their support for events such as the Orange Village Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market, the Party in the Park, the amphitheater concert, etc. contribute to the rich experience for our residents. While their list of accomplishments and goals is extensive, their full report is available on the website. Here are some highlights of their 2024 services and future goals:

• Completion of Asphalt program on Pike and White drives along with storm sewer improvements on Pike drive and raise culvert on White Drive Island.
• Completion of concrete repair program w/ majority of repairs on Harvard Rd.
• Crack sealing program for Emery, Harvard, Jackson, Orange Place, Lander, Orange Meadow and Harvard.
• Awarded approval of $11,316.52 thru Community cost share program.
• Awarded $63,325.00 for the 2024 county maintenance reimbursement program.
• Tree removal and regrading for safety improvements at Smithfield and Lander Roads.
• In-house asphalt/street and bulk patching of local streets.
• Wood chipping, leaf collection and subsequent delivery of leaf humous and wood chips to residents.
• Received $6000 CCSWD recycle grant.
• Upgraded PD emergency Power system
• Installed new security doors in Village Hall
• Installed 4 new water bottle fill stations from a $5495 Ohio EPA grant
• Reconstructed the Village Hall flagpole island with assistance of the Tri-C Landscape Program and Belgard Corp. donated materials.
• Received a NOPEC Grant of $8,873 to upgrade VAV controllers In Village Hall.

2025 Goals include:

• Purchase of new dump truck chassis. Equip with snow and ice removal equipment in 2026.
• Road projects: Concrete repair program, Brainard Rd. resurfacing, Miles road water main
• Complete trail connection on Emery to the Warrensville corp. line and Phase 8 to Brainard rd. on Miles.
• Update NEORSD compliance plan. Required in 2025.
• Park improvements which may include; Bocce ball court, Veterans memorial, amphitheater improvements, dog park and additional park entryway if property is secured on Emery Rd.
• Complete MOU for realignment of Orange Place.
• Apply for EPA Recycle Grant to fund water bottle filling stations for the playground and Mulcahy Pavilion.
• Continue succession training.
• Replace the garden storage shed.
• I422 snow removal/maintenance agreement.
• Advance, recommendations from the 2024 Village Community Survey as directed by the administration.
• Research natural playground areas and opportunities.
• Investigate grant opportunities and advance for the good of the Village including the BWC grant for a welding fume extractor.
• Berm improvements on East and West Woodcrest.
• Research two-way radio improvements for service vehicles.
• Research LED message board replacement for municipal center.

Thank you for your time and consideration.