Dec 17, 2003 By Angie Santello 4 min read

SMITHFIELD – Borough council passed a balanced 2004 budget without a tax increase at the regular meeting Tuesday. The current millage rate is set at 1.105, which equals to borough residents paying $11 for every $10,000 in assessed property value. This millage rate has held steady fro nearly six years , when the rate was increased to the current amount.

The largest estimated expenses in the budget total more than $700,000, which include employee wages for police, secretary, council, mayor and tax collector at $48,025 and insurance – workman’s compensation, health insurance, auto insurance and police, property and public office liability – at $32,100.

Borough Secretary Jamie Hoone said the budget was a little more difficult to prepare than previous years because two funds had to be accounted for instead of one. In addition to the general fund, a sewer fund had to be established and balanced in order to pay for tools, maintenance and operating expenses for the fairly new sewerage plant, along with insurance and wages for the borough’s auditor, solicitor and engineer. Hoone said the plant went online in September 2002.

In another matter, Mayor Chuck Cieszynski updated council on “It Caught My Eye,” the borough’s ninth annual Christmas decoration award program.

A panel of judges will be touring town, searching for those eye-catching outside Christmas decorations from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21.

Cieszynski noted that all residents must turn on their lights at this time if they want their set-ups entered in the judging. The program is limited to borough residents; however, bordering streets in neighboring Georges Township will also be included.

Immediately after Christmas, cash prizes and gift certificates that were donated from borough and township businesses and organizations will be distributed to winners of the contest.

Judged on overall splendor, some light displays are really something to see, according to Hoone.

“It’s hard to believe how some people really go all out,” she said. “Some decorate their whole house, the roof and everything in their yard, including swimming pools and trees… It really makes the town look nice.”

Although judges have not been selected yet, Hoone said the panel usually consists of private residents, but has included the occasional out-of-towner.

She said a lot of people participate in the event, not only for the judging, but just to get into the Christmas spirit.

Cieszynski said he has seen the event grow since it began in 1994 as more people have decorated their homes.

Depending on the weather, Cieszynski said it is also a possibility that Santa Claus will ride around town in a fire truck to announce the event.

In other business, council:

– Voted to set aside $150 in case an additional donation to make food baskets for needy people in the borough is needed.

– Instructed Engineer John Over to look at sewage leaking into a New Geneva Road resident’s yard. Council President Jack Frith said the sewage might be a problem created from the 10 homes that are not yet hooked into the sewerage system. These homes are an added expense for the borough because a pumping device is needed so their sewage can be transported up hill. Plans to include these homes in the ongoing sewerage project will be looked into further, council said.

– Reported that Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department questioned if the plans to expand the park near the fire department will interfere with an emergency helicopter’s landing zone or the annual car show event. Frith responded by saying the fire department owns other land that can be used for these activities.

– Said Jim Baranowski, the borough’s new part-time police officer, is slated to begin his duties in January as soon as a package of required materials is turned over to council. The open house for residents to meet him will be rescheduled at a later date. In the meantime, residents should continue calling 911 and the state police at 724-439-7111.

– Voted to apply for community development block grants awarded by the state for two borough projects: the Church Street extension and mine restoration project to stabilize a roadway made unstable because of mine subsidence, and a Dils Street flood prevention project to stop homes on the street from flooding during severe rains.

– Announced the reorganization meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, with the regular meeting to follow.