Jul 17, 2002 By Melissa Glisan 4 min read

SMITHFIELD – The borough’s Little League hasn’t had much good news this month. Borough council noted at Tuesday’s meeting that not only did the organization receive notice that it wasn’t successful in obtaining the $106,000 grant they had sought with Georges Township, but a corner of one of the ball fields appears to be on private property.

The league had considered turning the field that runs next to Georges Creek so that it would no longer be on resident George Frazee’s property, but the change would require a large amount of money, funding that was to come from the grant that Georges Township applied for on the league’s behalf.

Council President Jack Frith said the borough had to sign off on the application and as a result received the rejection letter before the monthly meeting. He added that officials will have to approach Frazee in hopes of hammering out an agreement to allow the kids the use of the field for the foreseeable future.

“There comes a time when you have to deal with people with a great deal of respect. This is then. It’s just a small portion, so hopefully we can reach an agreement. We will have to go from there,” Frith said.

As for failing to receive the grant, council was upset not only about the Little League’s loss, but also theirs as well. The board had applied for two other grants for paving the borough parking lot and for a lease vehicle for the police department. Both applications were turned down.

However, council didn’t allow that rejection to stop them from applying for another grant, this one through state Rep. Larry Roberts’ office, for $5,000 to be used for paving borough streets.

“We’ve been turned down for everything. We’ve got to get something sooner or later,” Frith said.

Due to the sanitary sewer project ongoing in the borough, a number of the streets will require resurfacing instead of the anticipated repair. As it stands, Frith said the borough has set aside $50,000 for paving, but the number of roads needing repairs will outpace the funds available.

Councilman Orville Hornsby agreed that the roads were in bad condition.

“If we get a bad winter this year, we will lose a good many side streets,” he said.

In related business, council asked that any residents unsatisfied with the restoration of their property by the contractor installing the sanitary sewer lines should stop by the borough offices and file a complaint form. Some complaints of driveways not being properly repaired and other similar problems have been raised.

Moving to other items of business, Mayor Chuck Cieszynski reported that with the retirement of trooper J.D. Mosser from the state police, no one has been appointed to head the Crime Watch program at the state police. The borough needs to keep the program meeting regularly, he said.

Until a replacement is named, Cieszynski said, he will look into working with the district attorney’s office and possibly Fayette County Crime Stoppers in order to have speakers and subjects for the upcoming August meeting.

Council also received a request from residents Melvin Ainsley and Clarence Ashton on which of two paper alleys should be used to access property they recently purchased. Because of the legal issues involved with opening a paper alley, council deferred the matter to the borough attorney, who was absent.

– Heard from Cieszynski, who informed council that officer Danny David submitted a number of certifications needed for the police department.

– Discussed the potential impact new legislation will have on garbage collection costs. New legislation provides for a tax on dump fees. Frith noted he was unsure how it would affect the rates in the borough because of the contract held with the garbage collector. The matter was forwarded to the borough attorney.

– Frith recommended naming all council members to the board for completing the borough comprehensive plan. He noted that no one was interested in serving and as a result nothing has been done regarding the plan.

– Agreed to advertise for a part-time worker again instead of keeping the former borough employee in the position. Hornsby noted that the employee tendered his resignation. He expressed concern that the borough may be open to legal repercussions for not hiring a replacement after the advertisement is run.

– Announced that recycling will be held Monday.