MELVILLE, La. (KLFY) -- In Melville, a new ordinance is setting the goal to clean the town and open up opportunities for new residents to move in.

Melville Mayor Caretta Robertson spoke with News 10 about the city hopes to achieve with the new ordinance.

"It's really just trying to clean up a lot of properties down there, they have the condemned houses down there," Robertson explained. "Pretty much just trying to clean up Melville. You know, we have a lot of good people down there and we're just trying to bring Melville back up and running. So, the first start is just trying to get it cleaned up."

Robertson says a new ordinance gives town officials a chance to point out properties that are considered unsafe and have hazards such as overgrown grass and speak to the owners directly to see if they would like to turn the property to the town so it could be cleared.

"So a lot of people actually came forward and want their property cleaned. They want us to actually have the old houses if they, you know, can't do it, can't afford it. This is what the ordinance is for," said Robertson.

Robertson says so far, 30 to 35 properties have been brought forward, and if more properties are presented, the city can apply for grant funding to clean the eyesores and open up that property for new construction and new residents.

"It's a clearance program grant. We had to go round and get how many houses that we can get on the program to make sure that we can get this grant," Robertson explained. "So just trying to beautify the town a little bit more because, you know, just trying to make it look better for the people who want to come back home to stay, they can find a nice trailer house to put on the property like once we get it cleaned up."

Robertson says if any residents want to present their property for consideration, they can reach out to her or council members at town hall.

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