Welcome to the Village of Galena. We are honored that you chose to build your future with us! Our Village stands at the crossroads of extensive growth and development in Central Ohio. Development that will shape the future of our Village and surrounding communities for years to come.
As such, our village is committed to creating a secure community environment that encourages responsible commercial and residential development while preserving our unique Galena “brand.” Our brand stands out in central Ohio as it celebrates our rich heritage rooted in the Americana of the early 1800’s.
“Again, we welcome you to experience Galena’s historic charm and small-town atmosphere. We encourage
you to enjoy our parks, trails, and public spaces, as well as a variety of inviting small businesses. Thank you
for choosing the Village of Galena. Please let us know how we can be of service.”
-Mayor Jeff Kinnell
Village offices are located at 109 Harrison Street. You may contact Village employees at 740-965-2484.
Galena’s government is organized in accordance with Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution and in Title 7 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Galena’s elected officials include a six-member council, which is the legislative branch, and a mayor. Village employees handle the day-to-day operations.
Village Council meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Galena Village Hall. All Council meetings are open to the public and the agenda is posted on bulletin boards at Miller Park, Ruffner Park, the Galena Post Office, 9 West Columbus Street, and Galena Village Hall as well as our website.
The Events Committee also plans a variety of special events throughout the year such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Costume Contest, and a Christmas Tree Lighting/Santa Event. A calendar and fliers for these events will also be posted around town. We welcome you to volunteer on this committee!
Jeff Kinnell
Dr. Thomas Marshall
Michelle Dearth
Matt Shock
Logan Shannon- Maintenance Supervisor
Lauren Frank
Valoria Slaughter
Fire-Police-Medical Emergencies: 911
BST&G Fire Department, non-emergency: 740-965-3841
Delaware County Sheriff, non-emergency: 740-833-2800
State Highway Patrol, non-emergency: 740-363-1392
Village of Galena does not have its own police department.
Sewage treatment service is provided by the Village. Sewer lines inside the Village and located within the public right-of-way are owned and maintained by the Village of Galena. For problems with these lines, call the village administrator at 740-965-2484. The lines from the public right-of-way into your home are the property owner’s responsibility.
Sewer service is billed monthly from Delco Water or Guardian and is included on the water bill.
The blended sewer rate based on consumption will be \$50.00 for the first 2,000 gallons and \$8.81 per each additional 1,000 gallons. The monthly maximum will be no more than \$75.00.
Onsite septic systems are not permitted within the Village’s corporate jurisdiction (except under the rare situation of a pre-existing residence in an unincorporated area at the time it is annexed into the Village). If you are planning to build a new house that will need to be connected to the Village’s sewer system, or planning to replace an existing septic system, then contact the Village office about the tap-in fee and inspection procedures.
Water is supplied and billed by Del-Co Water Company, Inc., 740-548- 7746.
For problems with streets or drainage, call the Galena Village Administrator at 740-965-2484.
The Village of Galena has an exclusive residential contract with Rumpke. Village households should contact Rumpke (1-800-828-8171) to set up an account for trash and recycling collection. The pickup schedule can be found on the Village website. Trash needs to be bagged. Please do not bag any recycling materials.
Electric: AEP, 1-800-277-2177
Gas: Columbia Gas, 1-800-344-4077
Phone: Century Link, 1-800-407-5411
Internet: Spectrum, 1-800-617-4311; Breezeway, 1-888-536-9600;
DIRECTTV 1-877-916-5137
Ohio Dept. of Commerce Cable TV Customer Hotline: 1-800-686-7826
The Galena zip code is 43021. The Galena Post Office, 34 W. Park St., Galena, Ohio 43021, serves a much larger geographic area than the Village’s municipal corporate boundaries. Although the post office is located in the Village, its service area encompasses not just the Village of Galena but also portions of Trenton, Harlem, Genoa, Berlin, Berkshire, and Orange Townships. Therefore, having a Galena 43021 mailing address does not necessarily mean that you live within the Village of Galena limits. Call 740-965-2371 for post office hours and services.
House numbers are designated by the Village. If you are planning to have a house built, contact the Village office at 740-965-2484 to have your house number assigned.
House numbers shall be displayed on each residence and installed to be plainly visible from the street. Numbers shall be a minimum of 3 inches in height and finished in a color to contrast with the background on which they are placed. House numbers shall usually be placed near the main entrance to the building and shall be firmly secured and always maintained in good condition.
House number identification is to be affixed to the top section of the mailbox post above the level of the top of the mailbox. The address numeral shall be not less than 3.5 inches and be no more than 4 inches in vertical height. Numerals shall be painted black and installed vertically on both sides of the main post support facing the street. Address numbers shall identify the property with the numbers in proper descending order, correctly spaced, from the top of the post down, and securely fastened in place to manufacturer’s directions.
The mailbox post assembly is to be a minimum 4 inch by 4-inch, unfinished cedar, with cross arm and support bracket, cantilever type, as approved by the Postal Service for standard residential applications. The support post is to be buried not less than 36 inches below finished yard grade and backfilled with gravel, set plumb and tamped firm. Driven steel post support mounting brackets are acceptable if approved for postal use and installed to full manufacturer’s specifications.
The mailbox container is to be a standard black steel postal service approved letterbox, with all related required equipment, mounting material, fasteners, flag, and door, all in serviceable condition. It should be mounted level, to postal regulation height of not less than 42 inches and not more than 45 inches measured from the finished yard grade to the bottom of the mailbox. The opening of the box shall face the street or in a direction approved by the local Postmaster. The front or opening side of the mailbox container shall not extend beyond the front face of the curb or as otherwise approved by the Postmaster. Emergency 911 house numbers shall not be installed on any part of the mailbox assembly.
Whether you’re planting a tree, shrub or garden, aerating your yard, installing a mailbox or building a fence or deck, Ohio law requires you to contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service at least 48 hours beforehand. The service is free. Call 800-362-2764 or 8-1-1 or use the online reporting system at www.oups.org. Knowing where gas, electric and other facilities cross your property will help protect your life, your property, and your wallet.
Galena is served by the Big Walnut School District. With new home growth in the school district, check with district officials regarding any possible redistricting that could change where your students will attend. The district's administrative offices are 740-965-3010.
The Village of Galena’s polling place is at the Galena United Methodist Church, 2777 Sunbury Rd. To register to vote, contact the Delaware County Board of Elections at 740-833-2080.
The Galena Cemetery is located at 255 N. Walnut Street. Contact Village of Galena at 740-965-2484 Monday through Friday 9:00 to 3:00.
The Village is responsible for snow removal on all Village public streets. (Streets in new developments may not yet be turned over to the Village so may still be the developer’s responsibility.) The main streets are the first priority, then residential streets. Snow removal in alleys will be a third priority.
The Village is not responsible for accessibility to private driveways. We ask that residents be vigilant about keeping their sidewalks cleared for everyone’s safety. Please do not cause a hazard by shoveling or plowing your snow onto streets or sidewalks.
Residents must move their vehicles from all streets or risk being towed in the event of a snow emergency when:
The Village has regulations concerning land use and property maintenance. Village and/or county permits might be required for certain types of projects such as (but not limited to) new buildings; alteration of existing buildings; installations of fences, decks, pools, and signs; changes of land or building use; and so forth. While a project is still in the planning phase, be sure to contact the Village Zoning Officer for guidance about what permits will be needed and the application/review process.
Also be aware that some neighborhood areas are also governed by the rules of private homeowners/condominium associations, which are not the responsibility of the Village government but are enforced by the associations.
The Village’s Ruffner Park, 170 Harrison St., features a shelter house, playground, volleyball court, and ball diamond, all situated along Big Walnut Creek. To reserve the shelter house for $25, call 740-965-2484. Reservation forms may be obtained from the Village offices or on the Village website. The shelter house can also be used on a first come, first served basis.
The ball field cannot be reserved but can be used for free if it is not being used by a league. To check league schedules, visit www.ruffnerpark.com.
The Village has several paved trails and is working to connect its neighborhoods and trail system as part of the larger statewide Ohio-to-Erie Trail.
The Ohio-to-Erie Trail itself goes through Galena, utilizing the former Penn Central Railroad corridor. The right-of-way was acquired by the Village, including the bridge over Little Walnut Creek, and the trail paved from Dustin Road to the Sunbury corporation line. A trailhead parking lot is located where the trail crosses N. Walnut Street, which was the location of the former Galena railroad station. Galena’s section of the Ohio-to-Erie Trail is designated as the Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail in honor of the former mayor’s vision and role in completing this section of the statewide trail.
Between Walnut Street and Holmes Street, the trail goes through Miller Park.
Between Holmes Street and the Village of Sunbury, the trail passes by the location of the former world-famous Galena Shale Tile and Brick Company and connects the Heathermere and Arrowhead Lake Estates subdivisions, plus other neighborhoods in Sunbury. The trail also provides connectivity to Big Walnut Elementary School, the library, and other points of interest in Sunbury.
Another corridor of natural scenery in the Village is the Walnut Creek Trail, which goes between Harrison Street and Joe Walker Road, including the Kane’s Crossing bridge over Big Walnut Creek. This trail connects to the Walnut Creek subdivision on Joe Walker Road. It is intended that this trail will eventually be extended both north to Sunbury and points east as new land developments occur in the future. It is also intended that someday the trail will extend westerly from Harrison Street and connect to the Ohio-to-Erie Trail.
These facilities are owned and managed by the City of Columbus. This is a water supply reservoir for the city and much of the Franklin County population.
Galena is located at the confluence of Big Walnut and Little Walnut creeks at the mouth of Hoover Reservoir. The lake offers fishing and boating and features several parks. Several areas along Little and Big Walnut Creeks in the Galena vicinity are designated by the City of Columbus as nature preserves and are protected as such.
The lake and its mudflats are an important migratory bird stopover and are popular bird watching spots. Osprey platforms have been installed by local volunteers to assist in reintroducing the “fish hawks” in Central Ohio. Eagles frequent the area, and the entire Hoover area is also recognized by ornithologists as being a highly successful breeding location for Prothonotary Warblers.
For more information, contact the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department at 614-645-3300, www.columbusrecparks.com.
