December 2023

(final) Letter from VRA President

Our meeting on November 28 was quite interesting and informative. Thanks to those who were able to attend – it was another opportunity for VRA members to learn more about what will happen to the Gateway area (aka South Village, not to be confused with South Main, which commences a block further!). A traffic study was completed by the DPW and results will be shared by the town when they’re available. Addressing traffic is obviously a first priority before any development can take place. We will keep residents informed through future meetings, so please try to attend and become a member to make sure you are kept in the loop.

The VRA holiday decorating contest continues for the 10^th year in a row. Currently no residences are signed up (so odds of winning are very high!). To enter, send name, address, email, and phone number to holidaydecorating@zvra.com OR submit electronically at https://bit.ly/3SMcEEG

Progressive dinner is December 9 – and it’s one of the best ways to connect with other Village residents. There are a handful of slots available. Send a message to eeffner@gmail.com if you’d like information about participating.

Lastly, our new slate of officers was elected at the meeting. Aaron Walton, Phil Martini, Erin Effner, and Sally Zelonis will continue their roles as VP, treasurer, secretary, and committee liaison respectively. The new VRA president is Bret Brewer, who resumes the role after a four-day emergency stint in 2019.

Well Village residents, t’s been a fun ride. Thanks for allowing me the last three years to serve as your president. There have been plenty of highs and lows, but some of these amazing friendships I’ve developed will withstand the test of time. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Progressive Dinner for a few (complementary) cocktails.

Heather

(final) Letter from Town Council

This is my final Town Council update for this newsletter.  I looked back and saw I’ve done 71 prior updates with the first being in 2016.  I’m very proud of what we as a Council have accomplished over the past 8 years.  It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but I feel I’m leaving the Town in a better position as I wrap up my public service. 

I am leaving the Town Council position in good hands with Sarah Sampson.  I think you had two excellent District 4 candidates to choose from at the most recent election and Sarah’s background, especially in finance, will serve residents well in the coming years.

The end of year is typically quiet; however our last few meetings have had a fuller schedule than normal.  One change is we approved the transfer of the back section of Lions Park to the Lions Club at the request of the Parks Department.  The Lions are such an asset to our community, and I have many fond memories of taking our own children to Lions Park.  This allows them to fully own all aspects of the Park (they’ll take over the small children playground and tennis/pickleball courts) as they master plan their additional 5 acres they recently acquired.  I’m looking forward to seeing the park continue to expand and flourish.

Our recent meetings have also focused on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan.  Over a series of public meetings and Town Council meetings, the plan spend is shaping up as follows:

1. $2,084,560 – New Pathway Construction (Cobblestone Lakes, Oak Street, Ford Road, CR 875 & Whitestown Rd., Engineering for CR 300 S. pathway (Appaloosa Crossings to Willow Springs Dr)
   1. $1,082,100 – Equipment Replacement (Street, Wasterwater, Parks)
   1. $569,000 – ZFD Long-term Planning and Design
   1. $510,000 – Grants to zWorks ($200K), Chamber of Commerce ($210K) and Cultural District ($100K) that support the Brick Street Market, Street Dance, Christmas in the Village, Summer Concert Series, as well as our start-up community
   1. $366,000 – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire Department (Expire in 2024)
   1. $300,000 – Comprehensive Plan
   1. $207,000 – IT Equipment Upgrades
   1. $202,000 – ZPD Station Upgrades
   1. $150,000 – Transportation Plan
   1. $75,000 – Nature Playground in Carpenter Nature Center (Matching Grant)
   1. $69,000 – Town Hall Improvements (Parking Lot, CED Redesign, etc.)
   1. $10,000 -Leadership Training
   1. $8,777 – ARPA Reporting Oversight

Many of these items did not make the 2024 budget and were planned to be moved to these one-time ARPA dollars as they expire at the end of the year.

This plan goes a long way towards providing Mayor-Elect Stehr and the incoming Town Council with a strong financial footage, while checking off many departmental needs, so that they have the flexibility to implement their vision of Zionsville in the future.

It’s truly been an honor to represent (most of) the Village and look forward to seeing many of you around Town in the future.

Christmas in the Village Schedule (final in a different way)

Santa House Selfies

Santa Claus will be available for pictures on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of November and all of December until Christmas in his house on Main Street across from Rosie’s Place, 10 S. Main St. On Nov. 25, he will be available from 6:30 to 8 p.m. From Nov. 26 to Dec. 24, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. except on Dec. 9, which will be from noon to 3 p.m.

Makers Market

From 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 16, local makers, crafters and artisans will sell one-of-a-kind gifts. Vendors will be in the parking lot near Pine and Main Streets.

Ladies Night

From 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19, Ladies Night will return to Christmas in the Village. The event allows women to spend time with friends shopping and enjoying beverages and tasty treats all around town. Various restaurants and shops will participate, including Tipsy Mermaid, Vintage Charm and Black Dog Books.

Christmas Crawl

The last Christmas event in the Village will occur from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21. The Christmas Crawl is for guests 21 and older. Shops and restaurants will offer holiday specials, and participating businesses will hold an ugly sweater contest at 8 p.m. Participating locations include Cobblestone, The Salty Cowboy and Midwest Jewelers, among others.

For more on Christmas in the Village, visit zionsvillechamber.org.