Waterville

General Overview
The village of Waterville is located along the banks of the Maumee River in Lucas County in northwestern Ohio. With a population just under 5,000, Waterville has a small town feeling but its proximity to Toledo gives its residents access to all that the city has to offer. Waterville offers a wide variety of neighborhoods, from historic settings to contemporary housing developments. Waterville's cost of living is 9.64% lower than the U.S. average.

History
Though settlers had lived in the area since 1817, the village was not officially incorporated until 1832. With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1843, businesses along the waterway prospered; the Pekin Mill and Rupp's Store in Waterville were two of the busiest. The canal was also a favorite spot for ice skating from Thanksgiving to the spring thaw. The Waterville Historical Society, organized in 1964, currently owns and functions as steward for three historic buildings in Waterville, two of which are historical museums.

Government Services
The Waterville Municipal Council consists of an elected mayor and six council members, each elected at-large.

The Waterville Fire Department consists of a full-time, professionally trained Fire Chief and thirty part-time paid-per-call members, most of whom are also certified as paramedics or emergency medical technicians. Mutual aid agreements exist with other area departments.

The Waterville Police Department consists of full time professional law enforcement officers, command officers, detectives and patrol officers. All officers are graduates of The Ohio Basic Peace Officers Training Program with most possessing a college degree.

Tax Rates
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: 1.2% ($1,767)

Employment
The majority of Waterville's residents are employed in construction, health care, professional, scientific and technical services, educational services, transportation equipment, hospitality and financial service industries.

The following companies are among the area's largest employers:
DaimlerChrysler AG
Dana Corporation
General Motors Corp
HCR Manor Care
Libbey Inc.
Medical College of Ohio
Mercy Health Partners
Owens Corning
Owens-Illinois, Inc
ProMedica Health Systems
Toledo City Board of Education
United Parcel Service Inc
University of Toledo

Recreation
Waterville's parks offer a variety of facilities. They include Pray Park, Stitt Park, Farnsworth Metropark, Baer Park, the Waterville Commercial Historic District, Waterworks Park and Conrad Park.

Community Organizations
Anthony Wayne Community YMCA, American Legion, Rotary, Waterville Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts: Erie Shores Council: Swan Creek District; Girl Scouts: Maumee Valley Council