Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce
Minutes of the March 26, 2026, meeting
Accessible text version of the official minutes. The text is reproduced verbatim from the signed record; only page footers and layout artifacts have been removed. The original PDF is also available.
Attendance
Those present: Krista Ankrom, Billy Robinette, Marilyn Boyd, Tim Byers, Lydia Carter, David Foltz, Jonett Haberfield and guest, Toni Harper, Sue Henwood, Mary Hoffman, Rich Lines, Jessica Martinez, Ray Meese, Dee Mowry, Sue Schmitz, Ken Stofter, Linda Ward, Heather Yontz.
Program
President Rich Lines called the meeting to order at noon at the Bremen Bethel Presbyterian church and led the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Linda Ward offered an invocation, and the ladies of the church served lunch.
The day’s speaker was Billy Robinette, Bremen village administrator. Although a resident of Glenford, Billy has worked in Bremen for five years. He began with the street department and moved into administration. The village has seen many additions and up-grades, due to local business donations and successful grant applications. Currently, new Broad Street sidewalks are being completed, and there is a grant application to extend conduit for lights beyond those of Marietta to Walnut Streets. New signage for the four way stop corner is being designed. Howell Park will see additions to the playground, as well as safety mulch and a Maypole. There will be a second shelter house with a play area by the baseball diamond; local businesses Fast Lane Foundation and Westerman’s have donated towards these improvements. Three areas of concern to village residents are being addressed:
- Policing is being added by a contract with Pleasantville that provides 40 to 50 hours/month of coverage by their officers. The first monthly report to village council was 75 stops, 6 tickets issued. Those ticketed go to Pleasantville’s Mayor’s Court, and fines levied are split with Bremen.
- ATV use in the village has been regulated by an ordinance copied from those of other villages. Bremen is “ATV Friendly,” but drivers must be over 16, have a license, lights and insurance, and stay off Broad Street, which is a state highway.
- A village ordinance requires that current residences of those identified as sexual predators must be over 1000 feet from any park, church, school or library, and no new rentals can be made to people so identified. This concern affects the addition of businesses to Main Street and is an effort to encourage downtown development as well as to make the village safer.
There were many compliments on the improvements to the village.
Business meeting
In the business meeting, the secretary’s report was received as emailed on a motion by Dee Mowry, seconded by Heather Yontz and carried.
The treasurer reported the following account balances:
| checking: | $ 4 106.70 |
|---|---|
| money market | 7 115.68 |
| CD | 13 666.64 |
| CD | 15 124.11 |
| CD | 5 570.79 |
Marilyn Boyd moved to receive the report, seconded by Dave Foltz; it was approved. The treasurer also reported that tax materials have been sent to Penny Wassum for filing.
There was no old or new business to consider.
Announcements
- Visit Fairfield County has a link to the Bremen Chamber site and WELCOME cards with community information.
- Community Good Friday service, April 3 at 700 p.m. at Bremen CMC.
- The Bunny Parade, April 4 - candy donations are due by this Friday, with bagging scheduled for Monday, March 30.
- Olivedale rummage sale, April 4, 10 to 2.
- Live fish truck at Rushcreek Feed and Supply, April 7.
- “Spring Fling Vendor Showcase” sponsored by Altercare/Lanfair, April 17, 10 to 4.
- Former bakery building open house by realtor, last week of May.
- “Music in the Park” at Dowling park, May 24 through Labor Day - food vendors at 5:30.
- Bremen Independence Day Parade, July 5 at noon - see the link on the Rushville Lions site.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:58.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmitz, secretary