Ross Gallabrese HONORED — The Indian Creek High School girls basketball team, which advanced to the Division IV Elite 8, was recognized during Thursday's meeting of Wintersville Village Council. Coach Steve Eft, left, accepted the recognition from Mayor Mike Petrella.

WINTERSVILLE — Village Council Thursday voted to enter into a two-year contract for six license plate surveillance cameras.

The Flock system will not be used to record drivers who are speeding or committing moving violations, village officials said, but will be a valuable tool in helping police officers to identify vehicles that have been stolen or are involved in other investigations.

“Citizens might not understand what the cameras are,” Mayor Mike Petrella said. “These are not for traffic concerns. These are to catch criminal activity involving vehicles. A prime example would be if somebody was kidnapped at Kroger Plaza and all we knew about the vehicle is that it is a white van, our guys can get into the computer system with these cameras and track down every white van that has passed through.”

It’s a system that’s in use around the country, Petrella added, including police departments in Cross Creek Township and Steubenville, as well as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

The cost of the cameras will be $39,900, which includes a $3,900 fee for the initial installation. Councilman Randy Spence said it might be possible to have that fee waived.

Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi and Police Chief Lou Vandeborne have been searching for grants that could offset some of that expense, Petrella explained.

“It’s not about catching speeders or any other traffic concerns,” he added.

Council also recognized the Indian Creek High School girls basketball team, which had an historic run this season, finishing with a 21-6 record — the second-most wins in school history — grabbing its fourth-consecutive Ohio Valley Athletic Conference championship and earning a spot in the Division IV Elite 8 for the first time in school history.

Coach Steve Eft was named District 5 and Eastern District Coach of the Year.

“Congratulations — Wintersville is extremely proud of you,” Petrella said. “The entire Ohio Valley was cheering you on. We were all watching and cheering you on.”

Councilman Jason Mattern agreed.

“You were exceptional — it was a real pleasure to watch you,” he said. “You made yourself proud, you made your families proud and you made the community proud, not only in the way you acted on the court, but the way you acted off the court as well. You were outstanding. Keep up the good work.”

Kosegi has been able to arrange for the rental of a street sweeper, which will be in the village next week, Petrella added. While the schedule had not been finalized, he said that the goal was to be able to get to every street in the village, with neighborhoods being done during the day and the main roads being cleaned at night.

The village administrator said that staff in village’s utility department had been undergoing training on the new water billing system. He said that the bills will be late this month, and added that any resident who had an issue with their bill should speak with him directly.

Councilwoman Gael Damron said the high winds that the region experienced during the winter months caused some of the veterans banners that have been hung through the village to be blown off the poles.

“If anybody comes across or finds any of the banners, please turn them into the village,” she said. “If they can be rehung, we will rehang them in their current state, and if they need to be reordered, the beautification committee has received funds from the American Legion to assist us with getting those replaced.”

Petrella said the village’s bulk pickup will be held on the first four Mondays of June. Residents whose regular collection is on Tuesday will have their bulk pickup on June 1. Those whose trash is collected on Wednesdays will have their bulk pickup on June 8, while those whose trash is collected on Thursdays will have their bulk pickup on June 15 and those whose trash is collected on Fridays will have their bulk pickup on June 22.

He added the movie “Dog Man” will be shown outdoors at the village dog park at 9 p.m. June 3. The presentation will be part of Wednesdays in Wintersville. It is a part of the Ohio Goes to the Movies series and will be presented by the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.

A public meeting about the village’s proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Petrella said. The proposed area would stretch between Wintersville Methodist Church and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on the south side of Main Street and from Clear Creek Coffee to Valley Wine Cellar on the north side.

It would allow patrons of participating businesses to carry a specifically designated cup of alcohol served there to other locations in the D.O.R.A. from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days a week.

Council will vote on the proposal during a special meeting that will follow at 6 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 16.