Marthasville Mayor David Lange, who was just re-elected to a fourth consecutive term for his current stint in the office, says he believes voters showed their approval for public improvements that are being made in the town of roughly 1,300 people.

Lange was faced with a challenge from former Police Chief and Alderman Eugene Jenkins, who resigned from public office last year. Election Day voting delivered a clear win to Lange, who received 64 percent of the vote (194 out of 301 votes).

“Something I always tell the board (of aldermen), and I firmly believe in, is ‘Keep working hard and doing projects for the citizens, so that you can show them they’re getting a return on their tax dollars,’” Lange told The Record after the election. “As long as we keep working hard and showing them actual action, projects getting done, we’ll gain and keep their support.”

During his most recent term, Lange has presided over projects to rebuild Pecan Street, build an extension of Fifth Street, add to the city’s water system, and introduce salt brine street treatment to prevent icing in winter. Going into the next term, Lange said his major goals are to carry out construction of a new city well and water tank to improve water service, as well as rebuilding part of South Street and adding new features to the city parks.

Lange said upgrades to Marthasville’s water and sewer systems will take care of the city’s needs for decades to come. The city  will begin construction for the new well and 300,000-gallon water tank in May. Marthasville previously completed upgrades to allow its sewer system to serve more homes and businesses.

“(Those projects) will set the city up for the next 40 or 50 years,” Lange commented. He said the city has been seeing interest from homebuilders and potential businesses, but that any new development would need to be north of town out of the floodplain. The city’s utilities will need to be able to handle this new growth, Lange said.

A project to rebuild South Street between Pecan and One Street is another effort the city plans to carry out during Lange’s next term. Pecan Street was rebuilt in 2019, with a sidewalk added to help pedestrians access stores at Highway 47. Lange said the city has been communicating with engineers to finalize plans for South Street to be rebuilt as well.

The mayor also reaffirmed his commitment to building new amenities in the city’s parks, which he said is something that citizens have been asking for. Currently on the list are a splash pad, a basketball court in Marthasville City Park, walking trails at Rusche Park and an RV campground in Wessel Park.

“We’re trying to do things where there’s not a lot of expense or overhead (once it’s built),” Lange commented. Splash pads, basketball and trails are all things that can just be checked on and periodically maintained. He said a campground is being built in Wessel Park because it’s one of the few available uses for a park in the floodplain, and it’s a good service for people visiting the Katy Trail.

Looking to the future, Lange said he wants the city to keep encouraging growth outside of the floodplain, and for city services to keep improving to match residents’ expectations.

“I appreciate the community’s support. I feel we’re doing something right to keep their support,” Lange said. “You’ve just gotta keep plugging to show the community you’re getting stuff done for them.”