Greenville council Tuesday night unanimously ratified a contract offer for Greenville-West Salem Township police, ending more than a year of controversy.

Police, who have been working without a contract since Dec. 31, and borough employees' wages were frozen when the town's fiscal collapse came to light earlier this year.

The new three-year contract, which the 14-member police union already approved, holds the line on wages this year and gives them a 3.5 percent increase next year. A wage-reopener clause covers the third year, said Borough Manager Kenneth S. Weaver.

Other items in the contract include an increase in longevity pay, which takes effect in 2003. Police will receive $50 per year of service to a maximum of 25 years; that means a policeman with 25 years of service would get $1,250 in longevity pay each year.

Will Webster, president of the Greenville-West Salem Police Officers Assocation, said the group was upset at the process it took to get a contract, but members are relieved the matter is settled.

"We can live with no raises this year," Webster said. "The past year has been a long, arduous task. We're at the point where we'll accept where we're at and move on."

Webster said an unfair labor practices hearing scheduled for Friday in Pittsburgh will be dismissed since the contract was ratified. He added that he had signed letters saying the police would accept the contract.

The police force, which patrols the borough and neighboring West Salem Township, has 11 full-time and three part-time members. It is currently without a chief, who would be covered by a separate contract. Sgt. Tom Strahler has been acting chief since Barry Williams retired.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Amanda Smith-Teutsch at ateutsch@sharonherald.com