Mayor Gahan Appoints 3rd Generation Firefighter as Deputy Chief

MAYOR GAHAN APPOINTS 3RD GENERATION FIREFIGHTER AS DEPUTY CHIEF 

Tim Kron, a 34-year firefighter with the New Albany Fire Department has been appointed as the new Deputy Fire Chief after Deputy Chief Gadd recently retired.

Mr. Kron joined the New Albany Fire Department in 1987, and has served in multiple roles with the department. In the New Albany Fire Department, Mr. Kron has served as a captain, as well as EMS Battalion Chief. He had previous experience working in the emergency room at Floyd Memorial Hospital, and has been serving with the Floyd County Health Department as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. Tim Kron has been instrumental in implementing the local COVID-19 vaccination program.

Mr. Kron is a 3rd generation firefighter with the New Albany Fire Department. His grandfather served as Chief of the department before his retirement, and Mr. Kron’s father retired as an assistant chief. Tim has 3 children – 2 daughters and 1 son, who is now a fourth-generation firefighter with New Albany.

“I welcome Tim Kron’s experience and expertise to the Deputy Chief’s job in the New Albany Fire Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I appreciate him stepping up to this vitally important role in service to the Fire Department and to the citizens of New Albany.”

Please help welcome this dedicated public servant to his new role as Deputy Chief of the New Albany Fire Department. Congratulations Tim Kron!

Leaf Season Begins

Leaf season has begun, and the New Albany Stormwater Department will be running extended hours on the leaf removal and recycling program this week. Leaves are falling throughout the city, and crews are working to remove the fallen leaves before they enter our water ways, causing potential contamination or localized flooding.

The Stormwater Department will collect leaves piled in the right of way next to the street. Please do not pile leaves in curbs, gutters, or the street, as this can enter the stormwater system and cause blockages. Additionally, residents can place up to 10 trash bags of leaves out that will be collected during normal trash days.

Best of all, by bunching leaves in the right of way for the City to collect, you can help the turn those leaves into something useful. Leaves picked up by the City’s leaf program are recycled and processed into mulch and fertilizers to be used in the future.

Thank you for your assistance as we work to make our city even more clean and beautiful. For additional information, and to learn exactly when crews will be in your area, please call the Stormwater Department at 812-945-1989.

New Police Recruit Sworn in Today!

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER SWORN IN: The New Albany Police Department welcomed a new recruit this morning. Mayor Jeff Gahan was pleased to swear in Mr. Daniel Thurman as a new Police Officer with the NAPD. Mr. Thurman just recently graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville in May, 2021. He will be attending the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy soon and begin his journey as a New Albany Police Officer.

“New Albany is a very safe community, and it’s because of people like Daniel who step up and choose to serve their City with professionalism and compassion,” stated Police Chief Todd Bailey.

“It was my pleasure to welcome Officer Thurman to the ranks of the New Albany Police Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “He and his family are from the local area and we discussed the great things Southern Indiana has to offer young professionals. I know Officer Thurman had other opportunities in Law Enforcement, but I am glad he chose New Albany to begin his career. We are lucky to have such a fine young man.”

Are you looking to serve your community? The New Albany Police Department is hiring both experienced and new officers! Applications are open through midnight on December 1st. Applications can be found at https://newalbanycityhall.com/police-applications

Street Maintenance to Prepare for Winter

STREET MAINTENANCE TO PREPARE FOR WINTER

Crews have been performing preventative maintenance on New Albany streets this week to prepare for upcoming winter weather. Crews have been completing crack sealing on many downtown streets as well as major thoroughfares throughout the city in an effort to prevent winter potholes.

As streets are heavily used, cracks can begin to form in the pavement. If those cracks are not sealed, water and moisture can get deep into the asphalt. During winter months, this moisture can freeze and expand about 9% in volume, causing potholes. Preventative maintenance like crack sealing can extend the life of roadways for many years and prevent wear and tear on vehicles that use the roadways.

Please be on the lookout for crews performing this preventative maintenance on our roadways and please drive cautiously and safely through any work areas.

“Other communities have had success with these types of programs, and we will monitor the application and effectiveness of this technique over the coming winter months,” stated City Engineer Larry Summers.

Local Realtors Concur with Housing Data - Call for Increased Supply of Homes

LOCAL REALTORS CONCUR WITH HOUSING DATA – CALL FOR INCREASED SUPPLY OF HOMES

The City of New Albany is currently analyzing how best to improve housing options for everyone in New Albany. Recently, the City completed a housing study to learn more about the current housing stock in New Albany, as well as future projections and needs. The data showed a clear need for all types of housing in New Albany, including affordable housing and market-rate housing, and the City is working on numerous projects to meet those needs.

The Southern Indiana Realtors Association (SIRA) also provided data to the City of New Albany that supports findings from the Housing Study. A recent market analysis provided by the Southern Indiana Realtors Association showed the following trends regarding recently sold homes closing prices and availability:

• In 2019, New Albany had 771 homes closing with an average sell price of $161,016.

• In 2020, New Albany had 790 homes closing with an average sell price of $178,704.

• In 2021, for the first 6 months of sales, 452 homes closed with an average sell price of $196,121.

• The “Days on Market” for each house were close to an average of 60 days during 2019, 2020, and 2021.

According to SIRA, the increase in average sales price is caused by the lack of inventory and buyers willing to go over listed price to secure limited properties.

THE BUSINESS OF RESIDENCY

Cities across America are competing for residents. Over the past decade, the City of New Albany has focused to improve quality of life for all residents. We have invested to create a state-of-the-art parks system, the Ohio River Greenway and New Albany Shoreline expansion, and we have improved schools, sidewalks, and roadways.

People want to reside in New Albany – they want to be near great parks, great schools, and great amenities – and now, we need to develop additional paths to residency and home ownership in New Albany.

“We will continue to improve both the availability and the condition of housing in our historic River City,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Our City has a lot of forward momentum now, and it’s good to know people are looking to make New Albany the place where they want to live.”

To read the full housing study, please click HERE