Jim Lenner will speak to residents on March 12 as Johnstown’s village manager gives the town’s first State of the Village address.

Lenner said he would give the address at 6 p.m. before the next all committee meeting at the village council chambers, 599 S. Main St. It is open to the public.

Lenner told village officials at the committee’s Feb. 13 meeting that he would address what the “village accomplished in 2011 and what we are setting up to do in 2012.

“This is the first time it’s been done,” he said, “so we’ll see how it goes. We’re just looking to give as much information to the residents as possible.”

Committee members also discussed ways to help better inform residents regarding crime and safety in the village.

Lenner said the police department is looking to host up to four community forums this year to help educate residents on various topics. Possible forum topics include Johnstown’s crime demographics, protecting homes, gangs and drugs, and computer safety.

The forum on crime demographics would give a “snapshot” look of how Johnstown compares to other Ohio communities, Lenner said.

He said the discussion on gangs and drugs would show residents how to spot drug and gang activity.

“(We’d) try to educate our residents as much as possible on what is out there and what people might be able to help the police department do to prevent crime or report it when they see it,” Lenner said.

The forums are a “low-cost option” for the village to help show residents ways they can protect themselves, he said.

“Just to be proactive and help get programs established to be more proactive in crime fighting rather than reactive,” he said.

Committee members also talked about ways to reduce speeds on roads in the neighborhoods of Concord Crossing Drive, Kyber Run Circle, Leafy Dell Road, and Rolling Meadows.

Back in September, residents told council they were concerned with people speeding in these developments. Council promised to look into the cost of installing five flashing signs that would show drivers their speed.

On Feb. 13, Lenner reported that the signs, which also collect speed data, would cost $4,500 each. Council agreed that right now the price tag is just too high.

“Our full sign budget for the year is $7,000, and we are actually under a state mandate to change all of the regulatory signs of the village, like stop signs and street road signs to meet minimum reflectivity that the state of Ohio recommends,” he said.

Lenner said there are more than 300 signs that need up be upgraded between now and 2015 so, “our $7,000 can be eaten up pretty quick each year.”

Lenner said he and Service Director Jack Liggett would look into costs of putting in speed tables, which are elongated speed bumps, in the roadways to help curb the speed problems.