BETHESDA — The village will put legal questions and issues on hold until new representation can be found.

Mayor Samantha Burkhead announced Thursday that attorney Jeff Menoski has resigned as village solicitor, saying his current law firm requires 100 percent of his time and effort.

“We now need to seek another attorney,” Burkhead said.

The village will advertise to fill the position.

Burkhead added that Menoski had tied up all legal “loose ends” for the village before resigning.

“Let’s not make any major decisions or anything that we would need legal advice for until we have another attorney available to help us on that,” Burkhead said.

One issue of contention in recent months has been the status of the village’s sole full-time police officer, Pete Busack, who has served as interim police chief but has not been approved to the permanent chief’s position. Council members, the mayor and residents who have spoken at prior meetings are sharply divided concerning Busack’s performance in enforcing the law.

Police committee members Cindy Foose, Rod Miller and Jordan Castello have voted in favor of Busack’s promotion, but council members Ruth Saffell, Jay Van Horn and Carol Merritt expressed reservations. Burkhead has recommended Busack’s dismissal, and Miller has said there seem to be personality conflicts between Busack and Burkhead.

On Thursday, Foose said Busack is willing to continue as Bethesda’s interim police chief.

“I am proposing that we table any kind of voting on police chief at this time. One reason being that we have no solicitor, so if we have any legal questions, we don’t have anyone to ask” Foose said.

Prior meetings have included angry accusations among guests, directed at each other, Busack and council members.

“We are respecting the differences everyone has as far as police issues,” Foose said. “We have been kind of stuck in this for a long time, and I feel that we as a village need to now start moving forward. I would like … to move forward and let this go, at this point.”

Castello suggested a raise of $1.50 to $16 per hour for Busack.

“Since he’s at least doing the job and holding the office, he does deserve a small raise,” Castello said.

Miller, Castello and Foose voted in favor. Van Horn and Saffell opposed. Merritt was not present.

Burkhead said if anyone on council asked her for a recommendation for a vote, she would make one.

“Until somebody asks me to do that, I’m going to respect them and not put one up,” Burkhead said.

Council and guests also held a brief moment of silence in honor of Robert “Bob” Murray and John McCormick, both Bethesda natives and longtime businessmen who benefited the village throughout their careers. Both men died recently.

Council also approved up to $1,500 for $25 gift certificates for Veterans Day gift baskets. The baskets are for military veteran residents of Bethesda and the Bethesda area.

In other matters, Scott Blake and Scott Blake II won the Halloween house decorating contest. Second-place winner was Victoria Burley, and third place went to Brenda Moore.

Castello added that trick or treat will be held 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“Since we’re not doing the parade or the costume contest,” she said, “give them that extra time to social distance, get their treats and have some fun. Everyone be mindful of the trick-or-treaters.”

A Christmas decorating contest will be held in the near future.

Busack will be on patrol today and Saturday. He asks residents to be vigilant, especially while driving during trick or treat.

Council also approved a request from the Ohio Department of Transportation to use Ohio 147 as a detour beginning in April while a landslide repair is conducted on Ohio 9 in Washington Township. That road will be closed.

November’s meeting was rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19, the third Thursday of the month, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and December’s to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17, due to Christmas.