COAL GROVE — The Coal Grove Betterment Club and the village council said thanks to some folks that have helped make Coal Grove a better place to live.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Ironton Municipal Court Judge O. Clark Collins and his community service program leaders, Tim Collins and J.D. Gore, were presented with two new weed trimmers as a show of appreciation for their work in cleaning up the village.

“These are our tools of the trade,” Collins said at the presentation. “We will put them to good use.”

Collins’ crew of community service workers regularly maintains roadways by picking up litter and trimming grass and weeds. It is a project that Collins began as a way to keep the Lawrence County Jail from overcrowding and allowing non-violent offenders to help the community.

“I certainly do appreciate it,” Collins said. “I really think the community has benefited from (the program.)”

In other business Coal Grove Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gary Sherman, asked the council to approve the purchase of a battery charger for the department’s thermal imaging camera. Council approved the charger at $185.

Sherman also reported that the department has completed 107 calls to fires this year, which is 36 fewer than this time last year.

Coal Grove Police Chief Eric Spurlock reported that for the month of July, the department had 26 reports, responded to nine vehicle accidents, towed six vehicles and distributed 63 tickets.

Spurlock also asked that the council consider repainting the cross walks before school begins.

Mayor Larry McDaniel also said he worked this week in getting estimates of several companies to patch roadways in the village.

The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 16.