NATCHEZ — Lynette Thompson, 47, refers to the property across the street from her Beaumont Street residence as “the snake den.”

For two years, Thompson has called the city and complained about overgrown grass and varmints on 9 Beaumont St., located in Natchez Ward 2.

“It’s not safe for my kids to be walking up and down the street because they might run into a snake,” Thompson said.

Wednesday, the city responded to Thompson’s complaint in the form of two new city employees who have one task — clean up overgrown properties.

“We have two new employees, and they’ll be cutting grass Monday through Friday for the rest of the summer,” Natchez Public Works Supervisor Justin Dollar said.

At the last Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting, the city voted to add $56,515 to the public works budget.

That budget expansion included compensation for the two new employees and additional equipment costs.

Dollar said residents have been complaining for a long time about blighted properties, and asking the city to take action.

“I don’t have an exact number, but I know there are a lot of adjudicated lots,” Dollar said. “There’s about six or eight just on Beaumont Street.”

Now with two employees added to Natchez Public Works, Dollar said he expects a big dent to be made in cleaning up overgrown city properties.

“In the past, we were only able to (cut grass) when we got caught up on our regular work,” Dollar said. “Now we’ll be working on this daily, cleaning up properties.”

Henry Woods, 56, is one of the two new employees hired by the city.

Woods started cutting down trees and mowing grass at 9 a.m. Wednesday on 9 Beaumont St.

When Woods arrived at the property, he admitted he was slightly shocked by the large task set before him.

“This was about an acre of nothing but trees, trash and overgrown grass,” Woods said, motioning to the property, which currently has a small, vacant house.

By Wednesday afternoon, Woods had cut down and mowed most of the property, and was preparing to move on to the neighboring property.

“We’ll just pray to God they’re not all in this shape,” Woods said while wiping his brow in 97-degree weather.

After 9 Beaumont St. is completely mowed and cleaned, Woods will be mowing and weed-eating the area behind 7 Beaumont St.

Albeit the warm weather and long list of properties, Woods said he’s confident the city can accomplish its goal of cleaning up as many properties as possible.

“Honestly, we’re probably going to end up using every tool we own because it’s so much,” Woods said. “But I think it’ll work out, and this will be a great thing.”

While watching Woods work from her front porch, Thompson said she’s glad the city is finally taking action on the problem of overgrown, forgotten properties.

“I’m very proud of this, them coming out here,” said Thompson, who has lived on Beaumont Street for 15 years. “I hope they can do more.”