T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Shadyside Police Chief Don Collette gives his department report, praising the village of Shadyside for coming out in full force to help raise money for Brody Beckett.

SHADYSIDE — Village Council held a brief meeting Monday night with members considering whether to reduce the number of meetings they hold.

The meeting lasted just over 20 minutes, and officials discussed the possibility of moving the twice monthly meetings to once a month.

Council member Melaine Haswell asked if council would be interested in convening once a month for the winter season to better accommodate member Brandon Parr, who is the Shadyside High School girls’ varsity basketball assistant coach. She said that multiple communities around the Ohio Valley hold monthly council meetings, and she believes council should meet once a month through the winter months. Although all members agreed to the switch, nothing was officially changed. It was then decided unanimously by the council that for November and December the council will meet on the third Monday of the month, making the next meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 18.

Shadyside Police Chief Don Collette then gave his department report, informing council about a fundraising event that took place in front of Centre Grill on Saturday.

“Adam Lucci had a fundraiser for a sick child the other day, and it went off without a hitch,” Collette said. “Everything went well, and they raised money for the sick child.”

He added that the fundraiser applied and was approved for a liquor control permit, adding that everyone involved followed the rules and that the event was successful, resulting in zero issues.

The event was to raise money for Brody Beckett, a 12-year-old boy who recently was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.

Haswell added that she and council members Sam Carpino and Parr attended the fundraiser and she was proud of the village of Shadyside for turning out to an event to raise money for a good cause.

“Adam said that there were 727 dinners sold, 90 cases of beer which is 2,160 beers, and he only found three beer cans. There were two on his ledge and one on a curb,” Haswell said.

Carpino added that he was glad to see everyone in attendance cleaning up after themselves.

Haswell used that example to advocate for creation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.

“As long as I sit on this council, I do not think there is anything wrong with that DORA rule,” Haswell said. “If you were there Saturday, everybody was out and everybody stayed in their little mapping area and nobody went outside of that. I just don’t understand why it’s something that we can’t do.”

Parr added, “It’s something that nobody ever pursued again.”

Haswell responded that she believes a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area is something that council should pursue. She said that she saw zero instances of people being belligerent at the event, adding that if a DORA were to be created and someone does get belligerent that they can easily be arrested.

“I just think it’s something that we really need to look into. Brandon and I have been wanting to do a Fall Festival in Shadyside, we’re hoping for maybe next fall,” Haswell said. “I just think that if it’s followed correctly, it’ll be a success.”

Carpino added that he recently attended a DORA event in Bellaire and the police presence was noticeable, adding that officers would routinely be around continuing to check and assure that everything was running smoothly.

“I’d rather spend my money here than have to go into another town,” Carpino said.

The meeting ended with Mayor Robert Newhart reminding everyone that Shadyside will celebrate Halloween with trick or treat from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, adding that it is a rain or shine event but he believes that the rain is supposed to hold off until 8 p.m.