T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON WHILE THE city of Martins Ferry continues to give away donated food, it also has decided to give residents a $25 break on their utility bills for the month of April. Shown here getting a bag of food this week at the city building is Martins Ferry resident Horace Drewett.

MARTINS FERRY — The city of Martins Ferry wants to help ease the burden on residents’ wallets and their minds by giving them a break on their utility bill for the month of April.

Mayor John Davies on Wednesday said because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have lost their jobs or hours at their jobs and need a helping hand at this time. In response, the city is going to take $25 total off residents’ utility bills, which include water, sanitation and sewerage. The reduction will be applied to the base water/sewer bill, which is part of the utility bill. For example, if a person’s water bill is $100, it will be reduced to $75.

“It kind of gives them a break and we’re trying to help out a little. … Until the (federal) stimulus money gets there, this gives them a little break this month until they get the stimulus money next month,” he said.

Davies said this will cost the city between $85,000 and $100,000 to do one time; however, the city received a recent influx of cash in the form of a property lien payment.

“We had a little money come in from taxes and back money owed to the city from property taxes where we put liens on. It came in yesterday — that’s why we decided to do it, since we have a little buffer in there.

“Usually we would do some upgrades, but we’ve decided to give that back to the people. Every little bit that we can help, and it’s feasible for us to do as a city, then we’ll do it,” Davies said.

Davies said this measure is for residents only, not businesses, which are on a different rate scale. He noted the city did recently give a business, which was forced to close because of the pandemic, a break on its dumpster bill.

Meanwhile, the city continues to offer free donated food to the public between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday in front of the city building on Fifth Street. There is no residency requirement, but Davies asks that people take only one bag per day. The food is in “grab-and-go” plastic bags on a table in front of the building. To date, about 20 and 40 people per day have been arriving to get a bag, he said.