Dec 22, 2004 By Angie Santello 3 min read

SMITHFIELD – Borough residents will be shoveling more than snow this winter season. They’ll also be shoveling out additional dollars in per capita taxes and in monthly garbage bills. At Tuesday’s meeting, the council decided to increase the yearly per capita tax by $2.50, which means residents will pay $5 per year.

Council President Jack Frith said the borough is the only municipality in the county that hadn’t increased their per capita tax.

Council members stressed that the borough is operating under tight finances. The borough recently took a hit from declining interest, down to about $14,000 from $29,000, and about a $6,000 hit from the reassessment of borough property. Borough secretary Jamie Hoone said the borough lost more money this year in taxes from reassessments than in years prior mainly because more appeals are going through.

The borough is operating with $156,200 generated in revenue. That amount includes a few thousand dollars given by the state.

Frith noted the borough did not increase other expenses. The borough’s tax rate will stay the same at 1.105 mills, which equates to residents paying $11.05 in property taxes per $10,000 in assessed property value.

In addition, effective Jan. 1, residents will pay $9.10 per month for garbage hauling, almost a $2 difference from this year’s rate of $7.15 after council entered into a three-year contract with J.C. Sanitation.

The council also conducted the following business:

– Noted that residents should continue to dial 911 or the state police for emergencies since the borough is without a police force and police protection is not budgeted for 2005. Mayor Chuck Cieszynski said the borough hopes to obtain grants for police protection, but to supply the borough with an adequate force, taxes may have to be raised in the future. The council also briefly discussed the option of creating a regional force, after the borough’s solicitor, Gene Grimm, told the council to anticipate a call from a Point Marion councilman who said there are substantial grants available for police salaries and the like for regionalized police forces.

– Asked residents to light up their Christmas decorations this week for participation in “It Caught My Eye Night” continued from Sunday night because of a snow delay. Cieszynski thanked local businesses and others involved for their participation in the program and said he welcomes additional prize contributions from local businesses in the form of gift certificates or money. He said contributions could be dropped off at the borough office or given to the mayor.

– Said the borough office is closed Friday, Monday and next Friday.

– Reminded residents to park in their driveways when it snows to allow plow trucks uninhibited access to clear the roads.

– Entered into commitment with the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for $1 million loaned to the borough for the Church Street extension sewage project. Georges Township will co-author the commitment agreement, Grimm said.

– Voted to give borough employees Christmas bonuses: $25 for part-time employees and $50 for full-time employees.