T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON MARTINS FERRY Service Director Scott Porter talks during Wednesday’s regular meeting.

MARTINS FERRY — City leaders still are working on a possible deal to have the Wheeling YMCA take over management and programming of the Martins Ferry Recreation Center.

During a regular Martins Ferry City Council meeting held Wednesday, Mayor Robert Krajnyak said the city still was talking with the Y on a potential deal.

As soon as a final agreement is drafted it would first have to be OK’d by Y board members and then City Council as well.

Martins Ferry Park Board President Kevin Neavin said he wanted some more information on the future of the park board.

City Council is considering an ordinance that would disband the board. During the meeting, that ordinance was tabled.

“We don’t have a problem working with the mayor, bringing the Y in. It might be a good thing. We are more than willing to work with anybody. I guess what we’re looking for is some clarification on disbanding the park district,” Neavin said.

Councilman Jack Regis Sr. said council would take up the ordinance for consideration again after an agreement is made with the Y. He said decisions regarding the park board would be made at that time.

In other matters, Service Director Scott Porter commended city employees for all their recent work on various waterline breaks lately.

One of those breaks was a 24-inch line on First Street. Their hard work also was recognized by Councilman Bruce Shrodes.

Porter noted there are several holes from that waterline work that need to patched.

Meanwhile, resident Richard Hord asked whether there was any news regarding the possible sale of East Ohio Regional Hospital.

“What I can tell you is there still is work being done and that they postponed it to try and settle a few other things, and until I hear anything from them I won’t say another word,” Krajnyak said.

Alecto Healthcare Services of California shutdown EORH and sister hospital Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling. Medical Properties Trust of Alabama owns the actual EORH building and leased it Alecto.

Since the hospitals’ closure, other local facilities have been making plans to pick up the slack and offer more services. However, local leaders and residents are concerned about emergency care not being available at the two facilities anymore.

Local EMS crews also have expressed concern about having to transport their patients longer distances for care. They also are concerned about traffic related to highways work happening on Interstate 70, making it more difficult to reach the next closest ER at Wheeling Hospital.