Point Marion retains firm to audit borough accounts
POINT MARION — Point Marion Borough Council on Wednesday approved retaining an accounting firm for an audit.
McClure and Wolfe of Uniontown will perform a single audit of the borough’s records as required by federal law because of a $2.2 million water project. The audit will cost $32,625 and it will inspect all of the borough’s accounts for the next three years.
“When you spend that kind of federal money, you have to have an audit performed to show where and how the money was spent,” said borough manager Art Strimel.
In other business, Mayor Carl Ables presented council with revised standard operating procedures for the borough police department. The procedures dictate policy regarding police department’s operations. The borough’s police committee will be reviewing the procedures in the weeks ahead before council makes any decision.
Borough employees will begin patching the worst potholes starting Monday. When the contractor, S&E Contracting of Jeannette, completes the water line project, the borough will be reviewing what streets need to be repaved. Walnut Street has the highest priority at this time.
Council has decided to appoint a committee to hear any potential damage claims arising from the water line project. If there are any claims, council will take appropriate action.
In another matter, Councilwoman Victoria Evans informed council that she has been approached by local ball leagues to develop league play using the borough’s ball fields.
Council briefly discussed the possibility of adding a skate board park.
Borough solicitor Robert Grimm said liability issues could be a factor against building any such park.
Council will have to examine all safety aspects pertaining to liability, construction requirements and costs before making a decision.
Ables said remodeling of the park’s concession stand and field house is nearly complete.
In other discussion, Evans and Councilman Jim Hackett said they attended the Mon River Towns program’s regional meeting on Monday at the Klein Building. More than 70 people participated in the workshop to discuss ideas aimed at implementing plans to improve riverfront communities in the upper Mon Valley. For its part, the borough is working on signage being placed at its entrance ways and the creation of a colorful mosaic on a downtown building.