MARTINS FERRY — There are now nearly 60 empty lots the city must take care of following demolition of blighted properties.

Caring for those lots has become a bit of a burden on the city, which already is stretching its resources and manpower thin.

Councilman Bruce Shrodes brought the number of lots to light during a recent Martins Ferry City Council meeting. He said last week that each time the city is forced to have a house razed because of its neglect by the owner, the city ends up having to take care of it if the owner refuses to.

“It almost takes a full crew to maintain these properties,” he said. “They have to keep the grass cut. Every time we tear a house down, we put liens on the property. If they aren’t around here, it’s a safety hazard and we have to maintain them. We add liens every time we cut the grass.”

Shrodes said there are some properties that the owner ends up deeding over ty to the city. These lots are usually offered for sale to the neighboring property owners. Others approach the city about buying empty lots.

“It does take away from everything else,” Shrodes said of maintenance. “We do have to use extra manpower to do that.”

He said the city sometimes will use community service workers or prisoners to cut the empty lots.

“We try hard to try and keep up with the properties,” he added. “Our population went from 12,000 down to 7,000 … but our infrastructure doesn’t change. … I often say we’re the oldest settlement in Ohio and we also have the oldest infrastructure we’re trying to maintain.”

City Codes Administrator Betty Suto said some of the lots still have houses on them that have been abandoned by the owner.

“Every time we cut the grass, it’s another $150 lien,” Suto said.