Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies (left) swears in city police officer Kade Carpenter, who was promoted to sergeant at the beginning of Wednesday’s council meeting. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

MARTINS FERRY — City officials say Martins Ferry is working to clean up the community in more ways than one, with crime enforcement and sanitation concerns taking center stage at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Police Chief Vince West discussed a recent drug raid at 512 Clinton St. that resulted in three arrests, including Mark Kinkus on charges of trafficking in drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug abuse instruments. West credited tips from residents for leading to the arrests and encouraged the public to continue sharing information.

“It wasn’t a big bust or anything, but it was a problem,” West told council. “If you get any complaints from your constituents, let me know. We have some other parties we are going after, and we are trying to clean this place up a little bit at a time.”

West added that officers continue to patrol the former East Ohio Regional Hospital property, the site of several recent break-ins and thefts. He said the property owner plans to install bars on windows, board up broken windows and better secure entrances and exits.

Sanitation issues also drew discussion. City Code Administrator and Safety Director Melissa Yeso reported that 37 violation letters were sent to residents for sanitation code infractions. She noted an ongoing issue with trash being placed curbside too early or not contained in proper receptacles.

“The trash ordinance — we need to be a little more strict,” Yeso said. “If trash is being put out a week in advance or not placed in cans with lids, I want to know. It’s not on our city employees to pick up 30 bags of trash that have been torn apart by raccoons and rats.”

Yeso recounted an incident last week in which a rat jumped from an unsecured trash bag onto a sanitation worker. Councilman Jim Schram added that loose trash bags can also pose injury risks, including discarded needles or other sharp objects.

Unwrapped mattresses left at the curb were also addressed. Service Director Andy Sutak reminded residents that the city will only collect mattresses that are wrapped, citing potential health hazards for sanitation workers.

Yeso further asked council to consider an ordinance requiring businesses to properly dispose of wooden pallets, which she said have accumulated in large quantities downtown.

“We have a lot of businesses that receive goods on wooden pallets,” Yeso said. “They don’t have a way of disposing of them, and our sanitation department doesn’t pick them up. We have businesses with more than 200 pallets sitting on their property, and it’s becoming an eyesore.”

Yeso said she provided businesses with contact information for three companies willing to collect pallets, but so far none have arranged removal. She asked council to help establish a formal process, noting that stacked pallets can also attract rodents.

In the past, the city created a designated drop-off area for unwanted pallets, but Mayor John Davies said the site quickly became a dumping ground for other items.

“People were dropping off furniture and mattresses and anything else they wanted,” Davies said. “We don’t want to go down that road again.”

While council members agreed the growing pallet piles are problematic, City Law Director Paul Stecker cautioned that a blanket ordinance could be complicated. Some businesses reuse pallets, and zoning regulations in commercial districts may limit what the city can require. Stecker suggested the ordinance committee meet to review potential legislation and enforcement options.

In other business, Martins Ferry patrolman Kade Carpenter was promoted to sergeant during a ceremony prior to the meeting. Davies administered the oath of office.

“It’s always great when we promote from within,” Davies said. “It’s great for the whole city. They know the people and the residents, and the residents know them. It’s always an honor for me to do this.”