Borough Manager: Website, Trash Collection Plan Early Priorities in 2021

During Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, two projects were highlighted as priorities in the new year.

Borough Manager David Allen said the projects of focus in the next two months include modernization of the borough’s website and trash.

“We are working to modernize website and improve its functionality,” he said.

A plan for the website will include more forms and document availability, more community announcements, and ways to make payments due to the borough.

“We want to enhance user experience on our website,” he said.

As far as trash goes, Allen said he has had several meetings with other communities and the Lawrence and Mercer County Supervisors in efforts to craft a policy that addresses all issues and needs of the community.

Mayor Anthony Court said he is glad to announce the Ellwood City Police Department is back to full staff following a round of illness.

The following motions were passed during the meeting:

• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $493,154.63, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $495,003.93.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
• A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, establishing the real property tax rate at 8.75 mills for the year 2021.
• A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances and resolutions as parts of the various component codes of the codified ordinances.
• A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, amending the traffic ordinance establishing a stop intersection on Franklin Avenue at Third Street, eastbound and westbound.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, adopting a 2021 Budget.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, establishing a stabilized Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA) for the 2021 electric usage as $.0165/kwh. (According to Borough Manager, David Allen, the number is a little higher than last year due to loss in revenue because of COVID).
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, requiring contributions to the police pension fund by the police department in the amount of 3.5% for the year 2021.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the filing of an application for funds in the amount of $750,000 with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This HOME Grant program application will be submitted by Lawrence Co. Social Services (LCSS) on behalf of Ellwood City Borough, Ellport Borough, and Perry Township.
• A motion to make the following appointments: ELLWOOD CITY PLANNING COMMISSION – 1 vacancy, 1 applicant, 4 Year Term: Earla Marshall, 200 Fountain Avenue; BOARD OF HEALTH – 1 vacancy, 1 applicant, 5 Year Term: Krista Newman, 853 Thalmann Lane.
• A motion to make the following appointments: ZONING HEARING BOARD – 1 vacancy, 2 applicants, 3 Year Term (vote for 1) Frank Lordi, 727 Crescent Avenue or Joe Lamenza, 506 Wood Street. Council chose Lamenza.; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – 1 vacancy, 2 applicants, 5 Year Term (vote for 1) Matt Mascharka, 310 Johnston Drive or Frank Lordi, 727 Crescent Avenue. Council chose Lordi; RECREATION BOARD – 1 vacancy, 2 applicants, 5 Year Term (vote for 1) Michael Widmaier, 1021 Sunset Blvd. or Jack D’Addio, 418 Beatty Street. Council chose Widmaier.
• A motion to approve the year 2021 cost of living adjustments for retired police officers William Betz, Brian Damon, Chris Hardie, Jon Disher (DROP), Patricia Forester (QDRO), David Kingston (DROP), Richard List (DROP), John Lubich, and Wayne Parsons (DROP), as submitted by the Actuary.
• A motion to establish salaries and wages for the following part-time employees effective with the first pay in January 2021 by the hourly rate or salary as follows:
  • Solicitor $26,000
  • Animal Control Officer $5,000
  • Health Officer $3,500
  • Tax Collector $8,292
  • Firefighters $15.30
  • School Crossing Guards:
    • 1st Year $9.40
    • 2nd Year $9.90
    • 3rd Year $10.40
    • 4th Year or more $11.40
  • Parking Enforcement $12.50
  • Playground/Concession Stand Coordinator $3,000
  • Pool Concession Stand Worker
    • 1st Year $8.00
    • 2nd Year $8.50
    • 3rd Year and more $9.00
  • Parks Manager $13.00
  • Park Employees (Labor & Playgrounds):
    • 1st Year $8.00
    • 2nd Year $8.50
    • 3rd Year and more $9.00
  • Code Enforcement Officer $14.00
  • Part Time Public Works Laborers $15.00
• A motion to establish wages for the following Non-Union full-time employees effective with the first pay in January 2021 at the following hourly rate as follows:
  • Borough Manager $35.974
  • Borough Secretary $23.873
  • Fire Chief $32.828
  • Public Works Director $32.828
  • Electric Department Superintendent $35.448
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager $32.529
  • Wastewater Treatment Lab Technician $23.570
• A motion to approve the 2021 fee schedule as submitted by Frank B. Taylor Engineering for professional services and by Richardson Inspection Services for zoning services.
• A motion to approve the proposal submitted by ComDoc for a 5-year lease of 6 copiers at a total cost of $997/month.