T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Shadyside Mayor Bob Newhart, right, addresses council and Village Attorney Tom Ryncarz Wednesday. Council is asking for assistance from the state and from the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office in investigating suspected thefts from the water treatment plant.

SHADYSIDE — Village Council is asking for state help and contacting the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office to deal with suspected thefts.

On Wednesday, village leaders met and went into a closed-door session to discuss personnel for about a half hour, then voted to direct Police Chief Don Collette and Village Attorney Tom Ryncarz to contact the Ohio Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Ethics Commission and request a thorough investigation into possible stolen assets from the village water department.

After the meeting, Mayor Bob Newhart had no comment about what had allegedly been stolen, its likely value or if current or former employees were suspected. He said the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office will also be notified and asked if other state agencies should be contacted.

“I don’t know who they’ll bring in. We’re going to call the prosecutor and direct us as to who to call,” he said.

Newhart did not say over how long a period the thefts might have taken place or how the village was made aware.

“We’ve been made aware in the past year,” he said, noting that no further information would be released at this time. “We’re at the very beginning, and I’m going to let the investigation run its course.”

In other matters, Councilman Nick Ferrelli introduced Zac Clift, Class 2 sewer operator contracted through Quality Environmental Services while the village seeks for a regular operator, and commended him for his work since January.

“He’s somebody who’s very knowledgeable,” Ferrelli said. “I just want all of you guys to know how much I personally appreciate him.”

Regarding law enforcement, Collette said he is exploring options to raise the wages of officers. In April he reported the village lost two full-time police officers who left for other employment. He said the current wage of $17 per hour is insufficient to compete with departments that offer more than $20.

“I’m working on a budget,” he said. “If we don’t do an increase in salary, we’re not going to have a police department.”

He said there are only four full-time officers, including himself.

“We’re working night and day, trading shifts and I don’t know how much longer it can go on. We’re trying,” he said.

Councilwoman Melanie Haswell congratulated the Shadyside softball team for their performance Saturday at Wheeling Park High School, defeating Wheeling Central Catholic High School to win the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 2A title for the first time since 1994.

In addition, Haswell spoke about preparations for the fall’s Alumni Band Night on Oct. 13, followed by the Fall Festival on Oct. 14.

“We still need food vendors, food trucks and people that do crafts. The community center will be open,” she said. “There will be a $20 charge for any food trucks, any craft vendors. It isn’t until October, but we want to get things moving on it.”

She said people interested in participating can call her at 740-391-5015 or Councilman Brandon Parr at 304-650-3623.

Also, a street cleanup day is set for May 20.

The next council meeting is set for 5 p.m. rather than the usual 6 p.m. on May 22 at the village office, 50 E. 39th St.