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Incorporated in 1864, Orrville reached city status in 1950. The Charter of the City of Orrville was adopted November 4, 1975, and became effective January 1, 1976, with the Mayor-Council form of government. The city government has two branches - legislative and administrative. The legislative branch is comprised of the President of Council and seven Council members. The Mayor serves as the head of the administrative branch with the following administrative officers: Director of Public Safety and Service, Director of Law, Director of Finance, and the Public Utilities Board. The Mayor, along with the administrative staff and the various boards and commissions, carry out policies and laws as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code, City of Orrville Codified Ordinances and City Charter. Orrville City Hall is located at 207 North Main Street. In addition to housing the Police Department and City offices, space is provided to the Wayne County Commissioners for the operation of the Orrville Branch of the Wayne County Municipal Court. Most City offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except legal holidays. The Mayor is elected for four-year terms. Mayoral duties, as set forth by Article III of the Charter, are to exercise supervision and control of all departments and divisions of the city and to see that all laws, ordinances and resolutions are faithfully obeyed and enforced. The Mayor is the recognized official and ceremonial head of city government. The Mayor is required to attend Council meetings, but has no vote. He does, however, have veto power over every ordinance and resolution passed by City Council. The President of Council is designated by Charter to be Acting Mayor during such a period when the Mayor is absent from the City or otherwise not accessible or temporarily unable to perform the duties. The legislative powers of the City are vested in City Council. Council consists of a President of Council and seven members, each elected for staggered four-year terms. One member is elected in each of the four wards and three are elected at large. City Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings which fall on a legal holiday are held the Tuesday following the holiday. Council takes a recess the month of August. Their meetings are held on the top floor (2nd floor) of the Municipal Building and are open to the public. The Administrative branch of the city government consists of the following departments: Law, Finance, Public Utilities, and Public Safety and Service. Each department has a director who has control and supervision over the employees and work of their departments.
The Public Utilities Board is appointed by the Mayor with the approval of Council. There are five members, who must be residents of the City, except that one member may be a resident of an area outside of Orrville provided he is a paying user of one or more utilities. The Utilities Board is responsible for the operation/maintenance/improvement/expansion of the electric, water, and wastewater utilities. This includes the supervision of officers and employees of the Department of Public Utilities. The Board meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. The Director of Utilities is appointed by the Public Utilities Board. The Utilities Director is the managing head of the Department of Public Utilities and is responsible to the Board for the proper operation and maintenance of the utilities which are under the control of the Board. The Director is also responsible for the selection, promotion, demotion, discipline, and removal of the other officers and employees of the Department of Public Utilities, with the approval of the Board. SERVICES, OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS Wayne County Airport is located near Smithville. Their telephone number is (330) 669-2671. The Police Department answers the emergency number (9-1-1) which dispatches the fire department, emergency squad or private ambulance, at the discretion of the dispatcher who follows guidelines set by city administration. Those serving on the emergency squad are volunteer firefighters and members of the Orrville Fire Department. They participate in training on an on-going basis. Calls concerning animals can be directed to the police department as a routine (330-684-5025) or emergency (9-1-1) matter. The City has an ordinance prohibiting animals running at large and prohibiting the housing of certain animals within the City limits. Information on this may be obtained from the Safety-Service Department (330-684-5004), the police department (330-684-5025), or the Wayne County Dog Warden (330-287-5410). The City's fiscal year begins January 1. City Council adopts Appropriations (the City's authorization to spend money) in ordinance format. The appropriations are based on the budget which is adopted by Council in June of each year. According to state law, no expenditure may exceed the amount appropriated, although Council may amend the appropriations from time to time as necessary. Copies of the appropriations are available on-line or from the Finance Department at City Hall (330-684-5006). See also: Budget. Bicycles must obey all traffic regulations. Bicycles should be registered with the Police Department to help in recovery if they are lost or stolen. Birth certificates are recorded at the Wayne County Health Department, 428 West Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691, and copies are available from them. The telephone number is 330-264-9590. The Board of Zoning Appeals hears appeals made by any person as to any decision of the Safety-Service Director of the City made in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance. The Board is composed of five voting members who are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms, and the Safety-Service Director who is a non-voting member. The Clerk of Council serves as the secretary of the Board. Individuals seeking zoning variances may make application at City Hall in the Safety-Service Department. The City Finance Director, along with City Administration, prepares a budget plan which is approved by Council in June of each year. Appropriations are adopted effective January 1 based on this budget plan. Copies of the Budget and Appropriations are available on-line or at City Hall in the Finance Department. See also: Appropriations. The City of Orrville adopted, by ordinance, the Wayne County Building Code. Any construction done in Orrville requires a building permit issued by the Wayne County Building Department, 428 West Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691, telephone number (330) 287-5525. However, before obtaining a building permit, the individual must have a zoning certificate from the City of Orrville. See also: Zoning. See also: Public Utilities The City of Orrville operates two cemeteries: Orr Cemetery at the corner of North Mill Street and East Church Street, and Crown Hill Cemetery at the corner of North Crown Hill Road and West High Street. The cemetery office is no longer staffed on a full-time basis. For questions, problems or appointments, please call City Hall at (330) 684-5004, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce office is located at 132 South Main Street, and their telephone number is (330) 682-8881. The City of Orrville voters adopted a Charter in November 1975, which was effective January 1, 1976. It was revised in November 1981 and is reviewed every ten years. A Charter or "home rule" form of government gives the citizens the opportunity to design their own form of government that is suited to the particular situations that exist in their community. City Hall is located at 207 North Main Street, and the main telephone number is (330) 684-5000. Most city offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The city offices, police department, offices of the Municipal Utilities, and the Wayne County Municipal Court are located in the building. Orrville has a 1% City Income Tax, which has provided the city with operating funds and capital improvement funds since 1961. The City Income Tax office is located in City Hall, and the telephone number is (330) 684-5008. The Civil Service Commission consists of three members appointed by the Mayor for terms of six years each. Not more than two members shall be of the same political party. The Civil Service Commission has the power to adopt rules and regulations concerning the selection, promotion, demotion, discipline, and removal of employees within the classified service. The Wayne County Clerk of Courts has an office on the third floor of the City Hall. The Clerk of Courts handles the records of the Municipal Court, operates the auto title office, and takes applications for passports and voter registration. The address is 207 North Main Street, and the telephone number is (330) 682-4085. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Orrville is very fortunate to have the University of Akron, Wayne College, in our community. The college was founded in 1972 after a fund raising drive by Orrville citizens to bring a college to Orrville. It is located in Orrville's northwest end at 1901 Smucker Road, and the telephone number is (330) 683-2010. Students attending Wayne College can earn an Associate's Degree, credits toward a Bachelor's Degree which are transferable to other institutions of higher education, or can take courses in Continuing Education to further their own personal growth. The Wayne County Municipal Court, Orrville Branch, is located in the Municipal Building, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 682-4085. Other courts (such as Common Pleas, Juvenile, and Probate) are located in the Court House on the Public Square in Wooster. All dogs must be licensed by the Wayne County Auditor. Dog licenses can be purchased at the following locations: Wayne County Auditor's Office, 428 West Liberty Street, Wooster; Wayne County Humane Society, 1161 Mechanicsburg Road, Wooster; Orrville Veterinary Clinic, 1665 North Main Street, Orrville; and most other veterinarian clinics within the county. The City has an animal control ordinance which prohibits dogs and cats from running at large. There is also an ordinance covering the nuisance of barking dogs. The Animal Warden and/or Police Department handle complaints regarding dogs. Telephone number for the Police Department (business) is (330) 684-5025. The elected officials of the City of Orrville are the Mayor, President of Council, and seven Council members. All are elected for four-year terms. See also: Voter Registration and Voting. The City of Orrville has operated its own electric system for over 70 years and continues to operate its power plant located on Perry Street. In addition to the City of Orrville, the service area includes Marshallville, Kidron, and Dalton. See also: Public Utilities. At any time that it would be necessary for the city to convey an emergency announcement to the citizens, it would be broadcast by the WQKT/WWST radio station. Some examples would be the snow parking ban, problems with trash collection, or a public utility problem. The City also has the ability to make announcements as needed over the Armstrong Cable television system. The City of Orrville has a Human Resources Manager who coordinates the hiring of employees of the City. Most positions with the City are in the classified service and require a Civil Service Examination prior to being hired. All applications are accepted through the Human Resources Department located at City Hall, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 684-5047. Under the supervision of the Finance Director, the Finance Department handles all the financial transactions of the City. They are located in the City Hall and can be reached by calling (330) 684-5006. The Orrville Fire Department members are paid volunteers. They are a very professional group of well-trained and equipped firefighters. The department is supported by City funds which are appropriated by Council. The Fire Department comes under the jurisdiction of the Safety-Service Department, and the Fire Chief is the commanding officer. The Chief is appointed by the Mayor. The business number for the Fire Department is (330) 684-5050, (330) 684-5025 in the evening, and the emergency number is 9-1-1. See also: Licenses and Permits The Wayne County Health Department provides health services to the citizens of Orrville. The City of Orrville has a representative which sits on the Wayne County Board of Health. The Health Department is located at 428 West Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691. Services regarding patient care, vital statistics, W.I.C. and food protection can be reached by calling (330) 264-9590. Environmental health programs, plumbing inspector and rabies control can be reached by calling (330) 264-2426. Other Health Links: The Orrville Historical Museum is located at 142 Depot Street. The Historical Museum Board holds open houses on Sunday afternoons and for special occasions. These open houses are usually listed in the local newspaper. Their telephone number is (330) 683-8327. City Hall offices will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4 (Independence Day), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving Day, day before Christmas, and Christmas Day. Holidays which fall on Sunday are observed on the following Monday. Holidays which fall on Saturday are observed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday, at the option of the City. For information about City Government services which may not be included in this booklet, please call or visit City Hall, 207 North Main Street. The main telephone number is (330) 684-5000. There is someone available Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, except on a legal holiday, to answer your questions. The jail is located in the first floor of the Municipal Building in the Police Department. Due to state standards for jails, we do not hold prisoners for longer than eight hours. Most sentences are served at the Wayne County Justice Center, under a contract with Wayne County to provide that service. For information on visitation of prisoners, contact the Wayne County Justice Center at (330) 287-5700 or the Orrville Police Department at (330) 684-5025. The Law Director is responsible for the Law Department and the legal affairs of the City. His office is located at 100 North Vine Street, and the telephone number is (330) 683-5010. The Orrville Public Library is located at 230 North Main Street, and is operated by the School District Board, with the Board members being appointed by the Board of Education. The Library provides a full range of services to the community, and more information may be obtained by calling them at (330) 683-1065.
A street map of Orrville is available at City Hall, 207 North Main Street, or at the Orrville Chamber of Commerce, 132 South Main Street, for no charge. Zoning district maps and regulations are also available at the Safety-Service Department for a nominal fee. The Orrville City Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month (except August) at 7:30 p.m. on the top floor of the Municipal Building, 207 North Main Street. The meetings are open to the public and citizens are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings. The Public Utilities Board meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. on the top floor of the Municipal Building, telephone number (330) 684-5012. The public is invited to attend the meetings. The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of each month if there is any business for the Commission to conduct. Contact can be made with the Planning Commission through the Safety-Service Department, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 684-5004. The Board of Zoning Appeals meets the third Monday of each month. However, no meetings are held if there are no requests for variances of the zoning ordinance. You can contact the Board by calling or visiting the Safety-Service Department at City Hall. The telephone number is (330) 684-5004. Mental Health Services can be provided by the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes County. The Counseling Center operates an office at 345 S. Crown Hill Road. The telephone number is (330) 683-5106. Motorized bicycles (mopeds) are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio and the City of Orrville. Moped drivers must obtain an operator's license and follow safety regulations as prescribed by law. The mopeds must have a license plate. The City has an ordinance prohibiting the parking of inoperative or unlicensed vehicles on private property for more than 15 days. If you wish to complain about a vehicle which is parked on private property which is unlicensed and/or inoperable you can contact the Orrville Police Department, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 684-5025. Motor vehicle titles are available at the Wayne County Clerk of Courts Office on the top floor of the Municipal Building, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 682-4085. Motor vehicle license plates can be obtained from the Deputy Registrar whose office is located at 1430 West High Street, telephone number (330) 682-0440. See also: Licenses and Permits. See: Wayne County Municipal Court The City of Orrville operates electric, water, wastewater and telecommunications systems (utilities). See also: Public Utility, Wastewater Utility, and/or Water Utility. The daily papers available in Wayne County are The Daily Record, Wooster, and the Akron Beacon Journal. They can be contacted through the local office at (330) 682-2055 or in Wooster at (330) 264-1125. A local paper, OrrViews, is published twice a month and is free at various locations around Orrville The Orrville Union Depot is owned by the Orrville Railroad Heritage Committee, a non-profit organization. The Depot is located on Depot Street, next to the CA&C tracks and the mainline of the ConRail tracks. The building is in the process of being restored to its original beauty. The Railroad Heritage Committee sponsors activities which call attention to Orrville's railroad heritage. The address is P.O. Box 11, and the telephone number is (330) 683-2426. The City operates several beautiful parks for the enjoyment of the citizens of Orrville. The City provides funds for the operation of these parks, and has an on-going program to provide new recreation equipment and maintain the existing equipment.
See: Clerk of Courts See: Licenses and Permits The Orrville Planning Commission consists of seven members as follows: the Mayor, Safety-Service Director, and five citizens appointed by the Mayor. Each appointed member serves a five-year term. The Planning Commission is responsible for the overall development of the City and makes decisions in that regard. They can be contacted at the Municipal Building, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 684-5000. The City maintains a fully-equipped and trained Police Department under the direction of the Safety-Service Director. The Chief of Police is the top ranking officer of the department. The Chief is covered by Civil Service, and this position is not an appointed position. The police department handles dispatching for the Orrville Fire Department and the Emergency Squad, Dalton Police Department, and two private ambulance services. They are also one of the three answering points for the 9-1-1 emergency system for Wayne County. The department consists of approximately 15 uniformed officers, uniformed reserve officers, and six dispatchers. They also oversee the school crossing guards. The police department provides a variety of community relations/public service activities and can be reached by calling (business) (330) 684-5025 or (emergency) 9-1-1. Property taxes are collected by the Wayne County Auditor. The office is located in the Wayne County Administration Building, 428 West Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691. The telephone number is (330) 287-5450. The Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney is located in the Silver Building, Public Square, Wooster, OH 44691. The telephone number is (330) 262-3030. The Prosecutor's office for the Wayne County Municipal Court, Orrville Branch, is located in City Hall at 215 North Grant Street, Wooster, OH 44691. The telephone number is (330) 287-5633.
The City of Orrville provides a mandatory residential curbside recycling program through a contract with a waste hauler. Information on the recycling program can be obtained by calling the Safety-Service Department at (330) 684-5004. The Orrville City Schools are operated by the Orrville City Board of Education, which consists of five members who are elected by voters residing in the school district. They operate one high school, one middle school grades 5-8, and one elementary school grades K-4. The Administrative offices are located at 815 North Ella Street, and can be reached by calling (330) 682-5811. The City recognizes the importance of Street Trees to the community. The City plants approximately 100 new street trees each spring. The City also operates a tree nursery to start trees which will be transplanted to city streets. For our efforts in urban forestry, Orrville has been named a "Tree City USA" since 1980. See: Streets, Alleys, Storm Sewers, Sidewalks The owner or occupant of any building or property is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks in front of that building after a snowfall. A significant accumulation of snow may require the City to declare a "snow parking ban" which requires that cars parked on certain streets be moved. Announcement of the snow parking ban is made on local radio station WWST/WQKT. Vehicles not moved from these streets may be towed at the owner's expense. The City of Orrville Service Department handles the plowing of snow from the streets and alleys as well as the clearing of snow from in front of City-owned buildings and properties. Any calls, complaints, or requests regarding snow removal can be directed to the Safety-Service Department at (330) 684-5004 or the Service Department at (330) 684-5060. The maintenance/construction of streets, alleys, storm sewers and sidewalks falls under the supervision of the Safety-Service Director. Orrville is approximately 4.1 square miles and contains 49 miles of streets. There was a time when sidewalks were not required to be installed, however, the subdivision regulations now require that sidewalks be installed in all residential developments. It is the property owner's responsibility to keep their sidewalk in good repair. The City crews keep the road and storm sewers in repair, and free of ice and snow during winter weather. If you have any questions about a street, alley, storm sewer or sidewalk, you may contact the Safety-Service Department at City Hall, telephone number (330) 684-5000. See: City Income Tax, Property Taxes See: Clerk of Courts The Orrville Charter requires that the Mayor hold at least one public meeting per year at which time the Mayor, Directors and Department Heads discuss the affairs of the City. The payment and handling of traffic violation tickets issued in the City of Orrville is done by the Wayne County Municipal Court, located in City Hall, at 207 North Main Street. The telephone number is (330) 682-4085. After Court office hours, some traffic violations can be paid at the Orrville Police Department, 207 North Main Street. The City of Orrville arranges for weekly collection of garbage and rubbish from residential units within the City. The charge for the garbage collection is included on the monthly bills which are sent out by the Municipal Utilities. Any person who has a problem with or question about their garbage collection may contact the Safety-Service Department at City Hall, 207 North Main Street, telephone number (330) 684-5004. If you would like a copy of the guidelines for garbage collection, you may contact City Hall as mentioned above. See also: Recycling. See: Street Trees See: Public Utilities The Wayne County Board of Elections is responsible for registering voters. People can register at their office which is located in the Wayne County Administration Building, 200 Vanover STreet, Wooster, OH 44691. Their telephone number is 330-287-5480. Registration applications are also taken at the Clerk of Courts office and the Safety-Service Director's office, 207 North Main Street. There are four voting wards in Orrville. To determine which Ward and Precinct you live in, you may stop at City Hall, 207 North Main Street, or call 330-684-5000. The Wastewater Department is responsible for the treatment of sewage from the City residences, businesses and industries. The plant is located at 1530 North Main Street. See also Public Utilities The Wayne County Municipal Court has three branches: in Wooster, Orrville and Rittman. The Orrville Branch is located on the top floor of City Hall, 207 North Main Street, telephone number 330-682-4085. The City of Orrville has a Zoning Ordinance which governs land use within the City Limits. The Safety-Service Director has the authority to make decisions regarding the enforcement of the zoning ordinance, and issues zoning permits for signs, construction or change in use. For any information regarding zoning, contact City Hall at 207 North Main
Street, telephone 330-684-5004. |