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Martins Ferry spring cleanup pushed due to downed packer

T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Mayor John Davies gives his report during Wednesday’s council meeting. Pictured in the front is Daviesk. In the back from left are Council President Kristine Davis and Clerk Kay McFarlan.

MARTINS FERRY – The city may have to delay its annual spring cleanup date as it is currently operating with only one garbage packer truck.

Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies informed City Council on Wednesday that crews are having some problems with one of the city’s two packers.

“We’re down to one packer and we’re having issues with it now, so we’re picking up trash in dump trucks,” he said, adding that he spoke to a mechanic who previously purchased one of the city’s old packers about the packer issue.

“I needed a piece off the back of one and I believe he’s going to go ahead and take that off and fix the one we have so we’ll have a spare again.

“Hopefully, I don’t know how long it’ll take.”

Davies said the lack of packers will push back the city’s annual cleanup date.

“Because we can’t do that without these packers. We have to have packers to do that. So as soon as they’re back in operation, I’ll let you guys know and we’ll do a spring cleanup,” he said.

In the past, the city held the cleanup toward the end of March.

After Davies finished giving his report, Councilman Bruce Shrodes spoke highly of Davies and Service Director Andy Sutak for all the effort and work they’ve done at the Martins Ferry Recreation Center.

“Buying roller skates, fixing roller skates, fixing brackets, putting wheels on, setting it up and organizing it and you have 100-150 kids down there having the time of their life. Getting free pizza from DeFelice and they go get pizza and people sponsor it. I can’t say enough about it. There’s people there from Elm Grove, Martins Ferry, Wheeling, and they’re having a great time. It’s something to see,” he said.

In other matters, Ben Bintz, vice president of the Martins Ferry Aquatic Club, met with council to express his gratitude on the improvements being conducted at the Recreation Center. Bintz had previously met with the city in November to express concerns regarding the facility and that the group may not continue the partnership between the two entities in the future if improvements were not made. The team practices and holds swim meets at the center during its summer season.

“I just really showed up tonight to say thank you to Mayor Davies and to Andy (Sutak) and to the council at large because you guys have impressed us as an aquatic club with everything that you’ve done from that point on to get us ready. I think it’s been fantastic, that’s my personal opinion. I know these guys have been trying really hard down there and I’m just here to say thank you,” he said.

Bintz said the club was so grateful and has confidence in the work the city is doing that it wrote a check for $5,500 to purchase new purple and white lane lines for the pool to replace the old red and blue ones. He said they are also working on a project to purchase starting blocks.

“We’re looking forward to a fun summer,” he said.

Safety Director Jack Regis Jr. announced that the fire department was approved for a small grant to purchase an extractor, or industrial washing machine, to help decontaminate firefighter’s turnout gear after responding to a call.

“To reduce the risk of cancer and other contaminants that they face fighting a structure fire,” he added.

Council next meets at 6 p.m. April 5 at the city bundling, located at 35 S. Fifth St.

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