Ellwood City Borough Council Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting on Monday, March 21.

Announcements

There will be a special council meeting Thursday, March 24 at 8 a.m. to approve renovation plans for the rear of the Municipal Building.
Picnic shelter reservations will begin on March 28 for non-Borough residents.
There will be a Young Republicans debate on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building auditorium.
The Ellwood City Police Department will have a drug take back program for unused or expired medication on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
Borough Manager Bob Villella encouraged residents to sign up for Code RED system for emergency notification system alerts to residents. Residents may sign up online but sign ups through the mail will also be available.

Visitors

Dave McQuade asked council if the brick portion of Second Street will be replaced with brick during summer repairs. Villella said that the respective agencies were aware that any brick must be replaced by brick.
Paul Dici asked that council adopt a nepotism policy.
Former council member Ralph Chiappetta spoke regarding a motion to change the police schedule, which he voted for and was passed last year. The motion has yet to be enforced. Chiappetta asked that council either enforce the motion or pass a motion to erase the motion.

Ordinances

An ordinance was passed authorizing Intergovernmental Cooperation with Lawrence County, the Borough of Ellwood City, Perry Township, Borough of Wampum, Borough of Ellport, Wayne Township, Borough of New Beaver, Borough of Little Beaver and Borough of Enon Valley providing for central booking for all individuals charged with a crime. The ordinance is for Ellwood City to get reimbursed when non-Ellwood police process criminal charges in Ellwood City.

Resolution

A resolution was passed committing $10,000 to Lawrence County consistent with the PHARE award for targeted neighborhood stabilization efforts, site preparation and blighted or vacant property demolition.
A resolution was passed supporting an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for funding for improvements to Ewing Park and Stiefel Park.

Health/Public Safety

An agreement was approved with the North Central Highway Safety Network, Inc. with regard to the “Buckle Up PA Project” whereas the Police Department will be responsible to carry out enforcement, public awareness, and educate and must contribute at least 10% of in-kind services for this cost reimbursement grant.

Public Works/Utilities

A motion was passed approving ExteNet Systems, Inc. to install wireless telecommunications equipment on wooden utility poles on 601 Hazel, 415 Bridge and 213 Haze, 212 North streets.
A motion was passed requesting County Aid in the amount of $20,800 to resurface the concrete section of street located at Sixth Street and Glen Avenue.
A motion was passed authorizing the Electric Department to relocate the Sixth Street regulating station to a pole mounted configuration at Sixth Street and Glen Avenue.

Administration/Personnel

A motion was passed establishing the wage for part-time firefighters at $11.20 per hour.
A motion was passed establishing the wage of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager at $29.471 per hour for a $44,443 salary. This is a change from a previous motion setting the wage at $21.367 per hour but at the same salary.
A motion to advertise for a part-time patrolman died after only council member George Celli supported it. At the end of the meeting, council discussed the pros and cons of part-time versus full time. President Connie MacDonald ended the discussion by asking council to research all available information before making a decision, hopefully by next month.
A motion was passed adopting the 2016 IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 54 cents per mile.
A motion was passed approving a revised monthly disability pension benefit for former patrol officer Brian Damon in the amount of $4,417.63 to be paid from the Police Pension Plan.