MARTINS FERRY — City Council this week approved spending $5,000 to repair a portion of “school road” before winter hits.

Mayor John Davies said Wednesday the section of Ayers Limestone Road, often called school road, near the Martins Ferry City School District campus entrance has been sinking for years. However, it is becoming increasingly dangerous for the drivers who must use it.

Davies also noted there seems to be some confusion as to who actually owns the road — the city or the school district. Councilman Bruce Shrodes said the city annexed the road after the school was built.

Councilman Jack Regis Sr. believes the reason the road has had problems is because a proper base material was not installed when the road was first constructed.

“Someone has to fix it before kids get hurt on a bus,” Davies said.

While the repair is a temporary fix, Davies said he was going to look into possibly moving the road over to bypass the damaged area. But he would first need to contact the adjacent property owner, John Ayers, about this idea.

Davies said the $5,000 appropriated by council would allow city employees to do the work in-house. Until the work is finished, a sign warning drivers that a “dip” is ahead will be installed.

Also, Davies said he had received calls and comments from residents wanting to expand the city’s trick-or-treat session by 30 minutes. It previously was set to last an hour. Now it will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

In other business, the Martins Ferry Chamber of Commerce is in need of a new executive director as Dorothy Powell has officially retired from the position. Paul Stecker, board member, said the post will also now include serving as director of Project Forward, a committee formed to promote downtown revitalization following a fire that destroyed several businesses in 2016. He noted the board is looking for someone with marketing experience, computer skills, grant writing experience and who is personable and able to talk with business owners about joining the chamber.

Stecker said Powell served with the chamber for nearly 50 years.