Smithfield seeks help in buying police car
SMITHFIELD — Smithfield Borough Council on Tuesday asked a member of a state lawmaker’s staff for help in securing funding for a new police car.
Council said the borough recently spent $450 to repair the current police car.
Jim Conway, a constituent service staff member for state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union Township, said Mahoney’s office has been looking into ways to assist the borough in purchasing a police car. He said he spoke with Jim Frank from the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, who told him that funding is very limited.
Conway also added that state representatives previously had more money available that could help with such projects.
“Representatives used to get WAMs (walking around money), but it is no longer in existence,” said Conway.
He also suggested council should look into the state piggyback program to assist with purchasing a new police car.
Municipalities that participate in COSTARS, a state Department of General Service program that partners program participants with suppliers, are able to participate in the piggyback program and receive a discount on goods and services.
Conway said he was attending the borough council meeting to show that Mahoney is reaching out to various communities in Fayette County.
“We will be attending (meetings) more often to keep in touch with the boroughs, townships and school districts,” said Conway.
In other matters, resident Brenda Zorosky told council about the formation of a new civic group called Smithfield Stepping Forward.
“Our goal is to work in conjunction with the borough to preserve and restore beautification to the community, as well as undertaking new endeavors to promote harmony and unity in the community,” she said.
Zorosky said the group is looking for people who want to participate and invited residents to attend the next Smithfield Stepping Forward meeting that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 13 at Smithfield Public Library.
In other business, Councilman Bob Roderick, who is also chairman of the ordinances committee, shared his findings when he was asked by council to research the borough’s horse ordinance.
During last month’s meeting, council discussed the issues the borough was having with residents’ private property and a public park being destroyed by horses and their riders.
Roderick said Ordinance 202 states the horses need to have their excrement cleaned up immediately.
“The ordinance is on the books, we just need to get it enforced,” he said.
Roderick also added that the penalty for those who fail to comply with the ordinance includes a $300 fine, 30 days in jail or both.
Council President Larry Leech said he wanted to stress the importance of residents needing to testify if they see someone in violation. Violators can’t be prosecuted without witness testimony, he said.
Borough police Officer John Lingo III added that if the riders are caught on private property they can be prosecuted for criminal mischief.
In other matters, council:
n Voted to donate $500 to the Smithfield Ball League.
n Voted to accept a bid of $650 to sell the borough’s used spreader.
n Announced that recycling will take place Monday.
n Announced that property tax and rent rebate forms are available at the library, and the library’s reading circle will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
n Scheduled the next meeting for 6 p.m. March 20.