Council Extends Tax Deadlines, Declaration of Disaster Emergency

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to extend tax deadlines and a Declaration of Disaster Emergency during the May 18 meeting.

The first resolution passed by council extends real estate tax deadlines due to Covid-19. The discount period would end July 15 with no penalty charged if taxes are paid by December 31, 2020.

The second resolution passed by council extends Resolution 2020-2, adopted on March 27, 2020, the Declaration of Disaster Emergency for the full 90 days, which would expire on June 27, 2020.

Mayor Anthony Court and Borough Manager David Allen gave updates regarding Covid-19.

Court said he is proud of the community’s response to the pandemic and despite requests by the public to add a part-time officer to the city’s police force, there has been a drop in crime.

“The police calls have been cut in half,” he said.

Allen echoed Court’s praise and added that continued cooperation while the county is still in the yellow phase of reopening is appreciated.

“The community is doing a tremendous job of taking advice from the state,” he said.

According the Allen, residents should see more city owned/maintained facilities opening up as the county leaves the yellow phase and enters the green phase.

He announced that the city could see some Covid-19 grant funding, and that the amount appropriation of those funds is yet to be determined.

Allen said in addition to moving forward with reopening businesses in town, he, along with Mayor Court and Council President George Celli, are focusing on the sale of the Ellwood City Medical Center. He said although they have little control over exactly who might purchase the hospital, they are working to generate positive interest in the property and are seeking the best purchaser for the best interest of the community. He said he recognizes the communities wish to have it reopen as a hospital.

“We are doing absolutely everything we possibly can,” he said.

Council also approved upcoming events and requests for park facilities usage (contingent upon the reopening phase the city falls in at the time of event). Among the approvals was Ellwood City Community Enrichment’s Summer Concert Series. The group requested closure of Beaver Avenue from 5th Street to 6th Street and Lawrence Avenue from 5th Street to 6th Street beginning at 7pm on June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, and August 1 for the summer concerts at the Community Plaza. Also approved were requested the Lincoln High School’s Girls Tennis Team and Girls and Boys soccer teams for use of the tennis courts and soccer fields beginning in July.

Council voted to approve the following proposed Insurance Policies submitted by HUB/HDH Group:

• Package policy (property, equipment breakdown, inland marine, crime, general liability, auto, excess liability) (MRM Property & Liability Trust) $118,265,
• Professional Liability (public officials liability/employment practices liability) (Greenwich Insurance Co) $7,958,
• Police Professional Liability (Greenwich Insurance Co.) $5,737.

The amounts will be split between the General, Electric, and Sewage Funds.

Council approved payment in the amount of $11,788 to Witmer Public Safety Group for turnout gear for the Fire Department to be paid from the EMS Grant.

To address blight, Council voted to advertise an amendment to the waste dumpster ordinance, specifically “Permit Required,” “Permit Fee,” and adding all waste dumpsters having a height of four feet or less must be covered by a tarp.

Borough Manager, David Allen, said the permit will be of no cost to the resident and will allow the borough the ability to track the dumpsters.