MARTINS FERRY — Mayor John Davies swore in Spencer Echemann to represent the 2nd Ward during the Martins Ferry City Council meeting Wednesday.

At 21 years old, Echemann is the youngest councilman the city has seen in a long time. Echemann received his associate degree in business administration at Belmont College, and he is currently taking online courses at Bellevue University in Nebraska for a business management degree. He said he might seek a degree in education in the future but is undecided.

Echemann also works as a student assistant at Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services and as a part-time employee at Walmart.

Echemann said he has lived in Martins Ferry all of his life and is dedicated to improving the community. He said he hopes to represent younger residents.

“There’s a lot of people in my age group in the city, and it’s a different perspective just because it’s a different age group,” he said.

Echemann said he wants to focus on helping the people and giving back in any way possible. He said he enjoys raising money for and teaming up with local charities and schools to help others.

This is Echemann’s first time holding a public office, and he said it will be a learning experience. He abstained from most of the voting on Wednesday but hopes to be up to speed by the next meeting and able to contribute more.

Bruce Shrodes, who has served several consecutive terms on council recently and in prior years, stepped down from his position of 2nd Ward councilman at the end of September. The Belmont County Republican Central Committee chose Echemann to fill Shrodes’ seat.

Davies welcomed Echemann unto council.

“I’m glad to see somebody young,” Davies said, noting that serving on council will be a learning experience for Echemann.

“I got my notebook. I’m ready to learn,” Echemann said.

Echemann is the son of Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann.

In other news, Fire Chief Tom Kelly Jr. requested that council allow Zane Highway to be blocked off from Grant Street to Hickory Street and from Hickory Street to Fourth Street for the Christmas parade and fireworks display on Nov. 24. All members of council voted in favor of the motion.

Davies said he has been questioned about when grave blankets can be placed at the cemetery.

“We didn’t really see any harm in it now, so if they want to put their winter decorations on the graves, they’re allowed,” he said.

Councilman Thomas Burns said he also has received questions about grave blankets and will let residents know that blankets can be placed on graves.

Burns also said he went to several Veterans Day events on Saturday. He said he was honored to attend the ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Riverview Cemetery and that a “wonderful” reception followed at the city’s American Legion Post.

He also said he attended the Veterans Day dinner hosted by the Elks Lodge.

“The dinner and social were very well attended, and they were very nice. We all had a great time. It was a real fitting tribute to our veterans. We all appreciate it,” he said.

Davies also said that Wednesday marked the last day that the street sweeper will run this season. After discussion at the last council meeting, Davies said that the street sweeper schedule will change for next year. He said it will only run in April and November instead of April through November.

Davies said the sweeper days and times will remain the same, and the city will change the wording on all of the street signs before April.

President of Council Kristine Davis said the city is considering getting new technology to livestream council meetings and broadcast public service announcements. City officials are communicating with Forefront Technology Inc. in Cleveland about the project.

Davis said ForeFront Technology estimated that it could cost up to $4,445. She said there will be a link on the city’s website that will allow anyone to watch the livestreams.

She said the city has tried broadcasting meetings in the past via Facebook but faced many issues.

“It’ll be a good resource for us,” she said.

Auditor Jack Regis said the city does not have the funds to make the city building handicap accessible, but being able to livestream the meetings will make them more accessible to all residents.

Burns said he has been a proponent of livestreaming meetings for years.

“It’s done all over the place for education and sports. I am really glad you guys worked on this,” he said.

Service Director Andy Sutak said the technology could also be used for training sessions so that police officers and other city workers can participate in webinars.

All members of council voted in favor of moving forward with the project and ForeFront Technology’s recommendations with Echemann abstaining.