BELLAIRE — Village leaders look forward to razing a handful of dilapidated properties after being approved for funding through the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp., commonly known as the land bank.

Bellaire Police Chief Dick Flanagan, who also serves as the village code enforcement officer, said Thursday that demolition at 1659 Belmont St. will begin “soon.”

“That was in conjunction with the land bank. … They had also acquired 12 properties for the first round of funding for demolition. Out of those 12, Bellaire is getting five of those places,” he said.

Village properties approved for demolition include 4432 Franklin St., 4216 Franklin St., 1850 Guernsey St. (the former school house), 3720 Trumbull St., and 122 Third Avenue.

“If it weren’t for the land bank . … working with all of them plus their board members. They’re the driving force behind this and getting these houses torn down,” he said.

Flanagan said the homes are a part of the 50 properties the village submitted to the land bank for demolition funding.

Councilman Mike Doyle thanked Flanagan for gathering a list of dilapidated properties and submitting them to the land bank. He also expressed his gratitude for land bank Director Tim Hall and board members Belmont County Treasurer Katherine Kelich, Belmont County Commissioners Josh Meyer and Jerry Echemann, Richland Township Trustee Rick Ferrell, and Martins Ferry Service Director Andy Sutak for their efforts.

“They’re all on that board and they’ve all helped us out. Dicky (Flanagan) is important on our end to do that,” he added.

The properties will be offered to any neighboring property owners who are in good standing with their property taxes and code enforcement once the structures are razed.

In other matters, Mayor Edward Marling reminded residents that garbage must be kept inside bags in a trash can in order for the street department to retrieve the garbage. He said they have begun sending out letters alerting residents of the issue with plans to begin citing homeowners and renters who persist in leaving loose trash outside of the cans.

“We’re going to start citing them $5 per bag for everything over the limit. I see a lot of 55-gallon bags up there that we had to pick up,” he said.

Also, Doyle said he has been in talks with the Bellaire Citizens Action Group, which may purchase a commercial paint sprayer and paint to assist the village with striping the lines on the roads and sidewalks.

“We’re in the talking stages right now. I have a list of about 10 different people that are involved, and it’s strictly by donation and volunteers, so if it works out we’ll probably know something in the next 30-45 days,” he said.