Council Approves Military Banners Project

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to authorize implementation of the Ellwood City Military Banners project.

The project will be led by Gabrielle Gretch. Gretch, a Riverside graduate who plans to attend UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing in January, said she was inspired to take on this project during her internship.

“I did my scholarship on Leslie Sabo Jr. for the Historical society and shortly after was driving with my mom in Butler and asked why we didn’t have these in Ellwood,” she said. “I hope this will achieve great things and one day many streets in Ellwood will be filled with these banners of people who reside/resided in the Ellwood Area.”

Residents in the Ellwood City area will be able to order banners for their loved ones—active-duty or a veteran. The banners will hang on the light poles of Lawrence Ave. from Memorial Day until Veterans Day.

Council also passed the following motions:

• Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 11/12/20 and List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 11/12/20: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 11/12/20, in the amount of $130,878.07, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 11/12/20, in the amount of $191,605.98.
• New Sewer Rates Established: A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, amending the sewer ordinance designating the new sewer rates effective 1/1/21 to be $8.27/1,000 gallons of water and $8.27 per customer per month.
• Free Holiday Parking: A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing free parking at all currently metered spaces located on Lawrence Avenue, Bell   Avenue, Crescent Avenue, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street and the Beaver Avenue  parking lot for a maximum of two (2) hours from November 27 through December 31, 2020. Motorists exceeding the 2 hour time limit will be subject to a $5.00 fine if paid within 72 hours. Violators who fail to make payment within 72 hours will be subject to prosecution through the District Justice office.
• Advertise Ordinance – Stop Signs (Franklin Avenue): A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance designating a stop intersection on Franklin Avenue at Third Street, Eastbound and Westbound.
• Employment: A motion to authorize the employment of Brian Seaburn as Laborer III (Public Works Department) at the rate of $20.672/hour (80% of full rate), effective 1/2/21.
• Advertise – Vacancies on Boards/Commissions: A motion to advertise the vacancies on the following Boards/Commissions:  Zoning Hearing Board, Zoning Hearing Board Alternate, EC Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, Board of Health, and Recreation Board.
• Advertise Ordinance – Code Book Updates: A motion would to advertise an ordinance approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances and resolutions as parts of the various component codes of the codified ordinances.
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance – Firefighters: A motion to approve the Workers Compensation Insurance with the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) for the volunteer firefighters for the period 1/1/21 – 1/1/22.  The estimated annual premium is $15,415 (final premium is subject to adjustment by audit).  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• Employment – Joshua Sipe (Full Time Patrolman): A motion to authorize the employment of Joshua Sipe as a full-time probationary Patrolman at the rate of $26.03/hour (75% of full rate), contingent upon successful completion of all background checks and certifications.
• Revolving Loan Application – Red Hot Restaurant: A motion to approve the Revolving Loan Application submitted by John Katsadas (Red Hot Restaurant) for $23,930 for the property located at 219 Sixth Street.
• Adopt Tentative 2021 Budget/Tax Rate: A motion to adopt the tentative 2021 Budget, as submitted, establishing the tax rate at 8.75 mills, and authorize the Borough Secretary to advertise the tax rate ordinance and the Budget and place it on display.