MARTINS FERRY — The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is not slowing down workers in the city of Martins Ferry or volunteers looking to spruce up the downtown.

Mayor John Davies recently posted on social media the variety of projects city employees have been tackling. Among the jobs were those related to waterlines, sewer repairs and general maintenance.

Meanwhile, members of Project Forward also decided to gather this past Saturday and work together to clean up the downtown business district of litter and weeds.

“We replaced about 300 feet of waterline in Hillandale and paved that section of the street. Fixed a few water breaks. Flushed Hydrants. Made new water tap for business and residential buildings,” Davies said of city workers.

“We repaired a major sewer that collapsed on Seventh street. We cut, I believe, 64 lots with high grass and weeds throughout the city.”

Davies noted work continues to maintain the grass at the Riverview and Walnut Grove cemeteries. He also mentioned another slip repair project on a section of Ohio 647 is about complete.

Upcoming projects will include re-painting of street lines, building of catch basins, work to comply with the Ohio EPA regarding sewer lines and more, he said.

“Our workers are starting at 6 a.m. to beat some of the heat,” Davies added. “Please put trash out early so we don’t miss anyone.”

Meanwhile, City Council is expected to soon consider amending an ordinance related to trash cans.

On his Mayor Davies’ Facebook page, Davies explained the proposed change:

“You can have three 32 gallon cans or two 45 gallon cans. No 55 gallon drums may be used. The 60-plus gallon can shouldn’t be used because it is hard to get trash out of it being so deep. All cans must have lids,” Davies wrote.

During a past City Council meeting when he proposed the change, Davies said he spoke with a few residents who explained that they already had the larger 45-gallon garbage cans.

The city recently began cracking down on residents who have not been maintaining the garbage via fines into mayor’s court. To help remedy the situation, the city also began selling cans, at cost, to residents and delivering them to their homes.

This past Saturday, Project Forward members gathered to help clean up the downtown area, according to information provided by Councilman Bruce Shrodes. In addition to Shrodes, those who volunteered included Melissa Yeso, the Rev.William Webster, Michael Yeso, Katie Kendall, Matty Kendall, Lainey Suriano, Linda Suriano, Kim Schuster, Paul Stecker, Matt Kendall and Tom Marling.