Yesterday was the monthly agenda council meeting and many topics were discussed.
Visitors
The meeting started promptly at 6p.m. and visitors were asked to come forth with any questions or concerns they wanted to address. With many Ellwood residents in attendance, there were several concerns and questions brought forth to council:
First to speak was Paul Dici, who came bearing a “Hillary Clinton for President” sign; he wanted to inform council that he had found the sign on the Legion Memorial Park property and he removed the sign because he thought it was disrespectful to turn a memorial ground into a political war-zone. Read more about it here.
Next to speak was an Ellwood resident who publicly requested information regarding the police forces healthcare, why the Borough Managers’ residence ordinance was suspended, and the newly proposed computer software the Borough plans to use for the public’s ability to electronically view their bills.
Bob Villella, the Borough Manager answered the majority of his questions. Villella said the police force currently pays nothing towards their healthcare and the currently healthcare plan they are on is up for renewal on December 31st. He also answered questions regarding the new computer software, which is going to cost the Borough $73,744 to install with a reoccurring yearly fee of $4752 to keep the software running and up to date, Villella said the Borough has checked with other local communities to ensure they’re making the right decision on the software and its costs.
Council Vice President, David DeCaria answered the mans question about why the Borough Manger’s residence ordinance was suspended, saying that residential ordinances are out of date and without suspending it, and it would be difficult to hire someone for the job due to the state law requiring two year contracts for the Borough Manager position.
Last of the visitors to speak before the start of the agenda was a local real estate agent who was worried about the 9million dollar bond and the spending of it to build new buildings, questioning council, “why does the borough try to be in the real estate business, building new facilities without utilizing perfectly operable ones throughout the town.” He furthered on stating that he is a real estate agent in Ellwood and he knows how hard it is to sell buildings in Ellwood anymore, when at one time you wouldn’t be able to find a house under 60-70k; there are now tons for way less than that which won’t sell.
Council started their agenda meeting, the following items will be voted on next week:
Health and Public Safety
EC Children’s Center- close one clock of First Street from Spring to Pittsburgh Circle from 9:45a.m. to 10:45a.m. on October 31
Public Works/Utilities
Insight Pipe Contracting, LLC (ratify)- lining of 168′ of sanitary sewer on 5th Street, $8736 paid from the Sewage Collection Fund.
Advertise Ordinance- stop intersection, 6th Street at Crescent Ave. (northbound and southbound)
DQE Communication- pole attachment agreement
Mobilite- pole attachment agreement
Resolution- authorize submission of a grant application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the lining of certain sanitary sewer lines
Rescind- resolution adopted 9/19/16 seeking 75% reimbursement for manhole adjustment relative to SR65, Section L28 (Second Street to Woodside Ave.)
Resolution- authorizing Manager to sign agreement relative to SR65, Section L28 (Second to Woodside)
Renew Refuse, Recycling, Yard Waste contract- Valley Waste Service (2018-2020)
Award Bid- street paving, PHASE II- Shields Asphalt Paving (Valencia, PA) Base Bid only $97,953.75 paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund
Agreement- (ratify) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program 2015/2016 Vendor Agreement
Agreement- American Geo Sciences Inc. to perform environmental studies for new PW/elec buildings
Agreement- Garvin Boward Beitko Engineering Inc. to perform core borings and soil reports for new PW/elec Buildings
Agreement- McIlvierd. DiDiano, and Mox, LLC to perform civil engineering and survey for new PW/elec buildings
Agreement- Frank B. Taylor Engineering to prepare specs for demo of PW/elec buildings
Parks/Recreation
Award Bid- Pittsburgh Circle Heritage Park
Administration/Personnel
Award proposals- for renovation/development of 513-515 Lawrence Ave
Award Bid- sale of property, Franklin Avenue, Cole Bella Real Estate $55,000
Retirement- Jan Garda January 3, 2017
Employment- part time patrolman
Renew Current UPMC PPO $3500 $20 $40 Plan (medical) and 15/30/50/50 (prescription) plans for those other than local 964 members
Resolution- distribution of pension State Aid
Advertise- Freedom System Corp (Freedom Software)- utility, payroll, accounting, code enforcement computer software- $73,744 + software hosting/user access $4752/year; general, electric, sewage, and recycling funds
Community Development/Buildings
Approve proposal- Fryer Excavating, LLC (New Brighton, PA) demolish garage to rear of 513/515 Lawrence Ave, $6,500 paid from L&N Fund
Advertise for sale- (Boro properties), 1124 Crescent, 51- Bridge, 418 Sixth, 807 Wayne, 1226 1/2 13th, 1226 13th, Borough lot at NE corner 6th/Beaver (old bus parking)
Announcements
Trick or Treat- October 31, 6-8p.m.
Before the end of the council meeting another gentleman in the visitors section asked if he could speak because he came in late. He was accompanied by one of his rental tenants who wanted to attend the council meeting to state how badly the electric situation is affecting her. He was there on her behalf to ask council to provide her some peace of mind that her and her family will not be thrown onto the street because they can hardly afford to pay their bills. The tenant was in tears saying she doesn’t know what she is going to do because she can hardly afford rent and utilities as it is but now she is now facing eviction due to the Borough’s newly proposed street department, and she fears her family will not have anywhere to go.
The landlord also mentioned to help the Borough with their budgeting, he runs some contracting companies and offered his services at a discounted rate.
Did the borough respond to the crying lady at the end?
Ed Leymarie, the Borough solicitor briefly mentioned that it would be a process requiring a decent amount of time (enough that she should be able to find a solution to the problem) before she would be put in a position where she would have literally no where to go.
Council needs to wake up!! When homes priced at considerably less that $100,000 aren’t selling, there is a huge problem!! Sounds like our property values are in the toilet and no one wants to live here! What a joke!
GET OUT OF THE ELECTRIC BUSINESS!!!
Do we know the complete story of the crying female who can not pay her bills? Does she smoke, drink, drugs; how many offspring does she have with how many males?
Do to misinformation printed here i am leaving this comment my friend tbe crying lady at the meeting iwas crying because the borough is planning on taking her house for a new street department! There is no eviction except for the fact that the borough is taking her house if this loan goes thru! What she was trying to say at the meeting is she is scrapping by now how is she supposed to move in a hurry with no help come on people wake up! There taking her house and your money cause your taxes will go up! I thank god i dont live in ec