March 2026: Municipal Priorities in Witzenhausen

Communication and Citizen Participation in the Forefront

What was important this month

• Introduction of a WhatsApp information channel in Kleinalmerode – The local advisory committee unanimously decided to send municipal information directly to the population.
• Planning for renovation work in Werleshausen – At the Werleshausen community center, specific dates for on-site meetings and cost estimates were determined.
• Preparation for the local elections on 15 March – In several local advisory committee and local mayor meetings, organizational steps and candidate lists were discussed.
• Construction at train stops – In Gertenbach, construction work is planned for April, with the path to the barbecue hut currently closed.
• New opening hours in Werleshausen – The toilet at the fire station is now open with clearly defined hours.
• Construction projects in the village center – In Dohrenbach, a land consolidation procedure was unanimously approved.

Communication taken to the next level

Communication between the city and its citizens has significantly intensified this month. In Kleinalmerode, a WhatsApp information channel was approved as a new tool for direct communication with the population. “Shared communication is the basis for trust,” emphasized Klaus Jatho, chairman of the local advisory committee.

In other communities as well, citizen participation was actively pursued. In Roßbach, the current status of the “Our Village Has a Future 2026” project was presented, and in Werleshausen, specific renovation works for the community center are planned. Citizens are to be involved in the planning process to create consensus and transparency.

Preparation for the 2026 Local Elections

With the local elections on 15 March 2026, the political realignment became a central topic of many meetings. In Kleinalmerode, a circle of candidates was established under the motto “Together for Kleinalmerode,” and in Gertenbach, the training of election committees was organized.

The constitutive meetings of the new local advisory committees are scheduled for April and May. In several communities, the election process and the transition were discussed, with particular attention paid to legal and organizational aspects.

Construction Projects and Infrastructure

Infrastructure planning was also a central topic in March 2026. In Gertenbach, construction at the train stop is planned for March/April. The path to the barbecue hut is closed until 04.03.2026 due to the absence of a fall protection system. In Werleshausen, renovation work on sanitary facilities in the community center is being considered, though no funds are allocated for 2026.

Municipal Future Visions

In addition to concrete projects, long-term issues were also in focus. In Kleinalmerode, the cycle connection to the Werratal Cycle Path and the fiber optic expansion were established as ongoing topics. In Dohrenbach, a land consolidation procedure was unanimously approved, which could have long-term effects on urban development.

Senior and Foreigner Advisory Councils: Future Visions and Reflections

In the Senior Advisory Council, no financial decisions were made this month, but reports from working groups and a review of the legislative period were central. In contrast, the Foreigner Advisory Council discussed the handover of participation certificates and reflected on the work of the past years.

Further Developments and Continuity

In Dohrenbach, a plot of land on the Kirchweg was approved for land consolidation. In Roßbach, the current status of the “Our Village Has a Future 2026” project was presented, and in Werleshausen, a volunteer day is planned for September. Progress was also made in the search for a tenant for the civic center in Kleinalmerode, with only one candidate remaining.

Outlook

March 2026 was a month of preparation, communication, and planning. The city and its communities are preparing for a new political era, planning investments in infrastructure and communication structures, and emphasizing citizen participation. In April, the constitutive meetings of the new local advisory committees will take place, and the first projects from the budget planning can move into implementation.