WILLIAMSTOWN – With three candidates on the ballot for two seats, the race for Williamstown City Council will appear on next week’s election ballot.

Incumbents Marty Seufer and Pat Peters are seeking re-election, while Jeff Meeks is looking to join council.

Seufer, 69, said his experience as Williamstown’s longtime finance director has helped prepare him for continued service on council.

“I understand the finances inside and out,” Seufer said.

He said one of the largest issues facing the next council will be remediation work tied to the city’s water system.

“That’s going to be something that’s going to be very tough for the next council, because we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to pay for it,” Seufer said.

A lifelong Williamstown resident, Seufer said his family and community ties are a major reason he continues serving.

“I just have a lot of ties to community,” he said.

Peters, 64, previously served about 19 years on council before stepping away from office. He later returned after being appointed to a seat following the death of former Councilman Jim Parker. Peters was then elected to a full term four years ago.

Peters said the city has several major projects underway.

“We’re working on water. We’re also working on a community center,” Peters said. “I’d really like to see it through to completion.”

He also pointed to smaller community projects, including the recent addition of a dog park in Williamstown.

“I just finished up fencing up and opening up a dog park,” Peters said.

Outside of council, Peters served as principal of Williamstown High School from 2005 until his retirement in 2018. He also coaches a middle school golf team and has worked on local historical preservation efforts, including helping update “The Fruitful Valley,” a historical book about Williamstown.

“After moving here and start going to council meetings, I got an interest in government,” said Meeks, 59.

Meeks said he hopes to bring the perspective of an ordinary resident to council discussions and decisions and hopes that it will make average citizens feel as if they have a voice within the council.

“Just try to bring an ordinary citizen perspective to things,” he said.

Before retirement, Meeks was a plant worker. He has also volunteered with the Humane Society in Marietta and the American Legion in Williamstown.

Meeks declined to provide a picture for this article.

Unlike many races on Tuesday’s ballot, the council race is not a primary. The winners will begin their term this year.