Smithfield council backs transportation plan
SMITHFIELD – The borough council said Thursday they support Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) in its attempt to bring public transportation to the borough. FACT wants to expand its services to Smithfield, Point Marion, Fairchance, Perryopolis and Masontown but is seeking public support before it commits to the project, said George Hardy, a FACT employee.
Hardy said studies and surveys identified Smithfield as an area that could benefit from public transportation.
“Ridership is key, and I think there are people here who would want to ride buses,” he said, adding that senior citizens who registered with the FACT office would ride free. All other riders would pay about $1.50 per trip.
Buses would run Monday through Friday from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and could be running by July 1 if FACT receives the public support it needs, said Hardy.
“We’re trying to reach out and help as many people as we can, but we need support from the community,” he said.
Council President Jack Frith said the board is glad FACT wants to provide public transportation to the borough.
“We’ve talked about having senior citizen housing here, so this would be ideal,” he said.
In other matters, the council warned all residents that they need to separate all storm water from the sanitary sewer drains.
Frith said the council can find out which residents have not separated their water by looking in the inspection ports, and he said fines could be issued.
The council also conducted the following business:
– Adopted the emergency action plan for the upcoming year.
– Said that, due to Memorial Day, recyclables will be picked up Tuesday and garbage on Friday.
– Announced that hard-to-recycle items will be picked up June 14. There will be a minimal fee for large items. Empty paint cans and oil will not be picked up.
– Announced that the Memorial Day parade will be held Monday at 2 p.m. and will begin on Liberty Street, move down Main Street and end with a service in the Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Anyone wishing to be involved in the parade can call Mayor Chuck Cieszynski at 724-569-4892 or 724-569-4411.