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Williamstown to add stop signs

Clamping down on abandoned properties

WILLIAMSTOWN — Controlling traffic on a busy residential street and dealing with abandoned houses in the city were topics discussed Tuesday evening by Williamstown City Council.

Mayor Jean Ford said about 20 residents on the Ninth Street area appeared before council to request help in slowing traffic through the area.

Ford said council approved placing stop signs on one street along with signs alerting motorists to the new stop signs.

In addition to the signs, Ford said, the police department has been patrolling the area to clamp down on those who drive through the area too fast. Ford said she did not know when the first signs will be placed.

In another matter, council took a step to address the problem with abandoned houses in the city. Ford said at the next meeting the council will consider a budget revision to set aside $25,000 to deal with the issue.

Ford estimated there are eight properties in the city that are considered to be abandoned properties.

A committee set up to deal with the problem has met with owners and now the committee will make addressing the abandoned houses a priority.

The city will attempt to contact the property owners to work on a solution, Ford said.

The city plans to follow the lead of Parkersburg by putting a lien on properties the city tries to clean up and collect the money when the house is sold.

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