Jun 17, 2010 By Tara Rack-Amber for The 3 min read

SMITHFIELD – Smithfield Borough Council on Tuesday approved an audit of the borough’s books for 2009. Jeffrey K. McCue, a certified public accountant, presented the findings of the audit to council and those in attendance at council’s regular monthly meeting.

In 2009, McCue said, the borough generated about $433,000 in revenue. That amount was $11,000 less than the 2008 revenue total. The borough’s revenue comes from the collection of earned income and real estate taxes.

Total expenses for the borough were an estimated $376,000. Expenses included general government operational costs, sewer maintenance and some debt associated with the sewers.

For 2009, the borough had a surplus of about $57,000, McCue said.

In other matters, borough property owner Michael Wilson informed council of his desire to purchase the former Smithfield Bank building on Liberty Street and convert it into three rental units.

Because the property is not in line with occupancy code standards, the sales agreement states the current owner, John Gluvna, must make the necessary corrections before he can sell the property.

Wilson, who said he is planning on completely renovating the building before adding occupants, asked council if an agreement could be reached where the restrictions could be waived.

Under the advisement of solicitor Gene Grimm, council agreed to enter into an enforcement agreement that would require the building to be inspected by borough engineer John Over of K2 Engineering in Uniontown before any residential occupancy can occur.

The agreement also would state that the derelict mobile home on the property must be removed within 90 days and construction must be completed within two years.

In another matter, John Moccaldi approached council about a sinkhole that has developed on his property on Washington Way. He said the sinkhole measures about 7 feet wide and 5 feet deep.

He said the hole has been filled several times previously, but the land continues to sink and the hole gets larger.

Councilman Larry Leech said he believes a broken drainpipe that runs about 7 feet underground is at the root of the problem.

Leech said he would have someone from the borough’s maintenance crew look into the problem this week.

In the meantime, Grimm suggested that a barrier, such as orange snowdrift fencing, be placed around the sinkhole to prevent any injuries.

In other matters, council:

n Announced that recycling will be held Monday, June 28.

n Announced the summer reading program at the Smithfield Public Library will begin Tuesday, June 22.

n Announced the reading circle will meet at the library at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30.

n Agreed to pay borough police Officer John Lingo III hourly wages and the course fee to attend Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Certification Course on Aug. 6 and 7.

n Agreed to pay Lingo’s hourly wages and course fee for a mandatory training course he participated in this month.

n Announced the next regular meeting of the council will be held at 6 p.m. July 20.