Aug 20, 2008 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

SMITHFIELD – The borough is in good financial standing. At Tuesday’s borough meeting, certified public accountant Jeffrey J. McCue reviewed the findings of an audit concerning the 2007 fiscal year.

McCue said told council members the borough received $455,000 in total revenue and had expenditures totaling $483,000.

Despite the $28,000 deficit, the borough remains in good financial standing and has over $500,000 in cash and certificates of deposits, according to McCue.

McCue said the $28,000 deficit resulted in unexpected purchases, noting that the borough purchased a truck and Christmas lights. The borough also paid off a loan to Centra Bank.

The unbudgeted purchases, combined with paying off the loan, resulted in an additional $62,000 in expenses in 2007.

McCue said the borough would have ended the year with a surplus if not for the additional expenses, noting that revenue and expenditures were in line with previous years.

Council approved the audit by a unanimous vote.

A copy of the audit is available at the borough building and at the Fayette County Courthouse.

McCue said the audit was also filed online with the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

As for other matters, borough solicitor Gene Grimm presented council with information regarding the borough’s charter in regards to whether or not the state Liquor Control Board has Smithfield listed as a dry town.

At last month’s meeting, discussion as to whether or not the borough’s charter should be amended was caused by local developers who expressed an interest in selling beer at a restaurant in the borough.

According to the information provided by Grimm, residents voted to 245 to 34 to have Smithfield be a dry town on Sept. 9, 1947. Since last month’s meeting, council President Jack Frith said he received several phone calls from concerned citizens who want the borough to remain a dry town and said he has no plans to amend the charter.

Council had discussed the possibility of allowing voters to decide whether or not Smithfield should remain dry, but did not discuss the information presented at Tuesday’s meeting and took no action on the matter.

In unrelated business, borough engineer John Over of K-2 Engineering of Uniontown said he recently met with U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, and state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union Twp., regarding possible federal funding for a sewerage project along a section of Route 119 within the borough.

Over said the legislators also discussed federal funding for a sewerage project on Mountain View Drive, noting that he will supply Shuster’s office with information regarding both potential projects.

Frith previously expressed concerns that the proposed sewerage project on Route 119 would benefit three to five properties whose owners stand to make a large amount of money if sewage is installed and the land developed.

Frith said he supports development but that federal grant money shouldn’t be used for the project, noting that the developers should pay to have the sewage installed themselves. Grant money should be used to help pay to install sewage for homes in the borough currently without service, he said.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in the borough building.