Talk of the Town with Royal Mayor Bob Vilven

Every week we are going to ask a village official or school administrator to answer three questions. This week it is Royal Mayor Bob Vilven.

What was Royal’s biggest accomplishment in 2018?
The biggest accomplishment for 2018 was the gain of about 3.5 acres added to the East side of the village; along with a water main extension eastward to 2700 East Road. This is the main road to the interstate and to Ogden. Along with this main extension, we added 3 fire hydrants. This puts a hydrant on both east-west ends of town. This is a great advantage for rural fire usage should it be needed.
 

What do you want to accomplish in 2019?
This coming year we will be focused on a recently approved (state EPA) small septic system; designed for those communities that need improvements in their business district where leach fields are not attainable, due to being small lots and land locked. This is being designed as a solution for our business districts needs for growth and modernization. This will be a prototype for the state. It is currently approved for usage in Indiana and Ohio. We are looking into grant monies for this project.
 

What is the most important thing about Royal that people may not know?
The most important thing about Royal isn’t just one item. For a village of about 300, we can still support a bank, a very large grain elevator operation, the finest school district in the county, a wonderful church, an American Legion & Sons of the Legion along with multiple small businesses. With the aforementioned small septic system, we are drawing in a new restaurant. Our village property assessment tax is one of the lowest in the county at $.061 per hundred evaluation.
 
 
This will be my final tenure as village president. In April we will be electing a new village president. I have served for 28 years in this position. It’s time for some new blood.