FAIRMONT — Woodland Avenue in Fairmont again will be closed to vehicular traffic on Halloween.

On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to block cars from driving down Woodland Avenue from Albion Avenue to Lake Park Boulevard from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

This continues a practice started last year when residents along Woodland, the most popular destination in the community for trick-or-treaters, requested that the street be blocked for the safety of pedestrians.

Some residents were concerned about getting their vehicles home after work, but the Fairmont Police Department developed a plan to allow residents access while still maintaining safety.

“We didn’t have any problems last year, and it was probably safer,” said City Administrator Mike Humpal.

“And people were able to get home. That was the comment I had heard,” said Mayor Debbie Foster. “I called one of them (Woodland residents) today, and he said it worked out fine.”

Woodland Avenue residents report that upwards of 1,000 youngsters, plus their adult chaperones, saturate the neighborhood on Halloween night.

Turning to another matter, the council approved an event permit for the Fairmont High School homecoming parade on Oct. 5. Entrants will line up at Ward Park at 3:30 p.m., with the parade starting at 4 p.m. The route proceeds north on Downtown Plaza and ends at Fourth Street.

In other business, the council approved advertising for bids on the airport pavement rehabilitation project, which includes crack sealing, large crack repair, seal coating, pavement marking and traffic control at Fairmont Municipal Airport. Bids will be opened Oct. 4.

During staff and council reports, Humpal reminded residents that the citywide dropoff will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Martin County Highway Department shop at 1200 Marcus St. Coupons, mailed to public utility customers, are required for free disposal of tires, electronics and appliances. Household goods, such as mattresses, may be dropped off at no charge.