MARTINS FERRY — The City Council heard a handful of issues Wednesday that officials and residents say need to be addressed urgently.

Mayor John Davies raised the possibility of paving Spring Haven Drive before the end of the year, noting that asphalt production plants will close for the season as the weather cools. The council has already heard from resident and former mayor Phil Wallace about the need to repair the roads in this neighborhood.

In September, Wallace filed a petition asking the city to address needed street repairs and water runoff issues in the area of ​​Spring Haven Drive and Grandview Street. Davies responded that city officials have looked at the area and will install a catch basin, paid for through the sewer fund. He also said they would get an estimate for paving at that location.

On Wednesday, Davies said the estimate had been received and was $24,499. He pointed out that since the street is a dead end, the cost of paving would have to be paid from the city’s general fund, as no money comes from license fees and released by the Belmont County Engineer’s Office cannot be used to pave roads with no grip.

In response to a question from Councilor Spencer Echemann, Davies said paving work in this area would be “all inclusive” with the exception of the city’s plan to install a cesspool itself.

“It’s really bad” Davies added regarding the condition of the road.

He said rainwater flowing downhill flows past existing retention ponds and “removed part of a sidewalk.” Although city crews worked to repair the curb, Davies said water was now flowing and entering a resident’s basement.

Council allocated $24,500 for paving, provided the contractor can complete the work this season.

The council also heard from Police Chief Jerry Murphy, who said his department needs additional officers. He reported that a K-9 level dog handler recently resigned, leaving the department to try to find a new placement for the dog Linus, since no other handlers are available.

It could also require selling a cruiser equipped to carry the dog — a move that is expected to generate more than $38,000 toward the purchase of a new $61,000 cruiser if a sale is made.

Noting that its officers are “overworked” Murphy urged the council to consider accepting a Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The chief noted that the city has 45 days from the date of approval of the award, Oct. 1, to decide whether to accept the funding, with time running out.

The five-year recruitment program would be funded by the DOJ for its first three years, while the city would have to cover the cost for the final two years. Murphy hopes to hire two additional officers with the funding.

Council agreed to accept the grant Wednesday, and a safety committee meeting that Murphy will attend was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the municipal building.

Finally, Bellaire resident Becky Dutcher contacted the board on behalf of her mother, Martins Ferry resident Emma Davis. Dutcher said his 88-year-old mother went to the end of her driveway daily to collect her mail and newspaper and to put her trash out for collection. Recent work to repair water breaks in her neighborhood damaged the end of her driveway, which Dutcher said caused her mother to fall.

A city worker helped Davis get up and walk home, but one of her teeth became loose and had to be pulled following the incident, Dutcher said.

She implored the council to act immediately to remedy the situation.

“Please secure it” she asked.

Davies responded that he and other city officials would examine the damage today and repair it by the end of the week.