T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON THE CITY’S newer, larger street sweeper works in the city on Tuesday. Motorists will begin receiving tickets on Monday if they do not move their vehicles on designated days.

MARTINS FERRY — The city’s newest street sweeper is hitting the roads and getting them clean again.

Motorists may have noticed the new, larger machine in service this week. It appears to be twice the size of the old sweeper that the city had problems with during the last several months.

Service Director Scott Porter said people should begin heeding related street sign regarding moving their vehicles. Sweeping is being conducted this week in the morning only. Motorists will receive only warnings this week, but police officers will begin giving $20 parking tickets on Monday.

“We want to give people a fair shot at getting back into the schedule,” he said.

It appears many residents already familiar with the practice are moving their vehicles already.

During its May 15 meeting, Martins Ferry City Council approved spending $255,079 with Southeastern Equipment for the machine manufactured by Schwartz Industries.

Porter said previously because of the issues with the original machine the company agreed to give back $140,000. However, since the city still owed $118,000 on its original bank loan for the sweeper, the new payment with financing for the new machine is $38,681 per year for seven years. The previous payment was $23,500 per year for seven years.

The street sweeper not only makes the roads look cleaner, but helps keep debris out of the city’s stormsewer system, which at times has problems with clogs and backups.

Before the new purchase was approved last month there was some debate among council. Councilman Bruce Shrodes expressed some reservations about purchasing another machine from the same company that apparently sold them the wrong size sweeper initially.

The old machine did not have enough power, which led to it overheating while trying to sweep the city’s hilly roads. Shrodes’ concerns were allayed after he was given assurances by Porter that the new machine passed recent tests on hills, working for nearly four hours at a time. The new machine also has a better warranty, he said.

For those not familiar with the city’s street sweeping policy, signs are posted on streets letting motorists know what days they need to move their vehicles to allow the street sweeper to work.

The street sweeping season typically runs April 15 to Nov. 15.