Borough Council Forms Committees and Discusses Initial Agenda

The Ellwood City Borough Council announced committee assignments at its agenda setting meeting yesterday.

Newly elected president Connie MacDonald consolidated four of the committees into two, reducing the total number from eight to six.

In addition, MacDonald instituted a new policy of asking visitors at the conclusion of the meeting for questions and comments. There were none yesterday however. He also specified that the executive session held before the agenda meeting was for legal issues and wage issues.

The regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 instead of Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Visitors
Dave McQuade asked council if any consideration had been given to repairing the curb area in the brick section of Second Street. McQuade commented that residents from that area had asked council nearly a year ago. MacDonald answered that it had not been discussed and that it would potentially be talked about this year.

Jeff Krosovic urged council to control wages and expenses going into this year.

“We can’t keep incurring tax increases,” he said.

Announcements
Residents may drop off their live Christmas Trees at the Public Works Garage from now until Jan. 31. All items must be removed from the tree and as a reminder, only live trees are eligible.

Picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 22) for Borough residents and begin on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 28) for non-borough residents.

Borough Manager Bob Villella reminded residents to check the new website, especially the features that allow residents to report code violations and provide anonymous tip lines to the police.

Mayor Anthony J. Court thanked all the agencies, local and state, involved in the stand off situation on Jan. 5 and 6.

“I’m thankful that no tragedies occurred,” Court said.

The committee assignments are as follows:
Administration/Personnel
Chair: Michelle Lamenza
George Celli and and Brad Ovial

Community Development/Buildings (formerly separate)
Chair: Ovial
Vice President David DeCaria and Marilyn Mancini

Health/Public Safety
Chair: Judi Dici
Celli and Lamenza

Parks/Recreation
Chair: DeCaria
Mancini and Dici

Public Works/Utilities (formerly separate)
Chair: Celli
Dici and Lamenza