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June 14, 2018

Council President Responds to PUC Letter From Council Members

Earlier in the month, council members Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera sent a letter to council president Judith Dici requesting a reduction in electric rates based on a Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) announcement that customers across the state would be receiving a discount. Dici, although absent from Monday’s agenda meeting, left a written response to the council members as follows: I am aware of the May 18, 2018 decision of the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This decision was as a result of the substantial decrease in Federal tax rates and other changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of…

June 13, 2018

Lawrence Avenue Event Pulled from Council Agenda

At Monday’s Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting, Scott and Caroline Golmic addressed council regarding an event request that was pulled from the agenda. The Golmics, owners of Sweet Caroline’s at 507 Lawrence Ave., leased an empty lot at 509 Lawrence with the intention of hosting events to promote the downtown. The Golmics paired together with other local businesses to host an event on May 23 for the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation, which attracted hundreds of people downtown. The couple plans on hosting future events on the lot featuring food, music and games to attract people downtown and draw…

June 4, 2018

Pennsylvania Utility Commission Announcement

In a letter to sent to Council President, Judi Dici, a decision on May 18 from the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC), it was announced that utility customers across Pennsylvania would receive a discount of $320,000,000 per year.  This will mean more money will be in the pockets of the hard-working people who pay utility bills. Residents who surround Ellwood City will receive a discount of either 8.07% (Penn Power customers) on or 7.34% (West Penn Power) on their distribution charges.  Should consumers of Ellwood City Electric Company not receive this discount, it will only increase the 27% premium that residents…

May 31, 2018

Bernstine Certified Winner of Both Republican and Democratic Nominations for November 6 election

NEW BEAVER, PA. – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine was certified today as the winner of both Republican and Democratic nominations to represent State House District 10 in Harrisburg. The district includes portions of Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties. Bernstine, elected as a Republican in 2016, was nominated for a second term by his party during the May 15th primary, earning 97% of the vote. He secured the Democratic nomination as well by winning a write-in campaign, earning 55% of the vote against Beaver Falls resident Joseph McGurk. “It is an honor to receive the nomination of both the Republican and…

May 23, 2018

Ellwood City Borough Council May Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City borough council meeting held on Monday, May 21: Ordinances A motion was passed amending the parks ordinance to make shelter reservations effective beginning April 1 through Sept. 30. This increases the reservation window by a month on either end. Finance A motion was passed approving a $250 donation to the Memorial Day Parade Committee to be paid from the General Fund. The motion passed 5-1 with Lisa Guerrero dissenting. Rob Brough was absent and council vice president Jim Barry wasn’t physically present but attended via voice chat. Public Works/Utilities: A…

May 16, 2018

Ellwood City Council Agenda Brief

The following is a brief summary of items discussed at the Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting on Monday, May 14: Beechwood Blvd Address Added to Agenda Council member Michelle Lamenza requested a motion be added to the agenda to repeal a motion changing several Beechwood Boulevard addresses to Constitution Boulevard addresses. Earlier in the year, council approved these changes to make it easier for emergency responders to find specific addresses. However, some of the affected constituents hired a lawyer, Al Torrence, of Beaver County, to ask council to repeal the motion. In the March meeting, Torrence argued that the…

May 14, 2018

Ellwood City Native Takes on Independent Electric Utilization Study

Liz Prence, a native of Ellwood City is doing an independent study to help people find the reason for their high electric utilization. Prence has over 35 years experience in data analysis and quality control, she has a Bachelors in biochemistry and is currently chief quality officer for Healthmap Solutions. The study will help provide information and effective solutions to people who have excessively high electric bills by determining the cause of the discrepancies seen among electric customers. “We are all charged the same rate per KWH, yet many residents don’t have high electric bills (me, for example),” Prence said….

May 10, 2018

Visitors Ask Ellwood School Board to Reconsider Removing Baseball Field Lights

Visitors representing Ellwood City area baseball organizations urged council to reconsider its decision to remove the lights from Sanders Field, arguing that the district’s baseball program will decline without the ability to play night games. The wooden light poles were installed in the early 1950’s and became a hallmark of the Ellwood area’s baseball program. At its January meeting, the board voted 6-3 to remove the wooden light poles following an accident in August when a pole collapsed, injuring a 13-year old girl and a man. According to school board member Jennifer Tomon, the board chose to remove the lights…

May 7, 2018

Group Cites Constitutional Article During Town Hall Meeting

Town hall organizers urged Ellwood City residents to oppose House Bill 2030 at a meeting on Thursday, May 3 in the municipal building. The event speakers believed the bill, which would potentially cut the borough’s budget by $1.45 million dollars, would be devastating to the community. Visitor Stephanie Muntean acknowledged the borough has problems that need solved but feared the precedent of state legislation to control a municipality. “We have to control our own borough,” Muntean said. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10, New Beaver, will prevent the Ellwood City borough council from transferring funds from the…

May 4, 2018

Group Discusses House Bill 2030 at Town Hall Meeting

A group of concerned residents in Ellwood City met for a Town Hall meeting Thursday night at the Municipal Building, to present facts about House Bill 2030. Mary Ann Viccari, who served 40 years in borough administration, presented a PowerPoint at the town hall meeting that focused on facts about HB 2030. The meeting primarily focused on what would happen if HB 2030 did pass and how it would affect the community and jobs within it. Ellwood City transfers $1.45 million yearly from the electric fund to the general fund. Viccari said, HB 2030 will not necessarily lower electric bills;…