Borough Awards Waste Removal Bid

Ellwood City Borough Council awarded the bid for collection of refuse, recycling, and yard waste to Valley Waste during Monday’s meeting.

Borough Manager David Allen said garbage has been on the top of his priority list since he arrived in his position at the borough a little more than two years ago. He said the new program provides the most options possible for smooth, efficient, and cost friendly removal of waste.

“We negotiated fantastic pricing to hit all needs and concerns of the citizens,” he said.

The new program will offer residents the choice of containers as well as a bags, which was the only method of removal in the past.

The following options will be available for waste collection:

• $17.69/month for 96 gallon containers
• $14.94/month for 35 gallon containers, and
• $25.00 for 10 bags

All of the above options include the cost of recycling, so residents will no longer see a $3 recycling charge on their bills.

Borough officials will reach out to residents via phone to discuss options. They will be setting a deadline for choosing the best option per household.

Allen said he estimates the new program will begin in June at the earliest.

Those residents with dumpsters can still use that method of waste removal. This new program will not impact commercial facilities.

In addition to providing options for removal of garbage, the new program also adds additional dates for yard waste pickup. Instead of nine yard waste removal days, residents will be able to get rid of yard waste twice a month from April 1 to November 30.

“This expands our yard waste pickup significantly,” Allen said.

Other motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 4/13/21, in the amount of $416,469.38, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 4/15/21, in the amount of $485,212.42.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
• A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, allowing for the use of a parking permit when parking at on-street metered spaces.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, approving the intermunicipal transfer of a Restaurant Liquor License (R-14709) by Barry Quick Mart, LLC.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, requesting funding from the Lawrence County Transportation Grant Improvement Program in the amount of $12,262.00 to be used to replace a concrete section of 6th Street from Glen Avenue to    Spring Avenue.
• K-9 Police Officer “Ranger” retired effective 3/15/21.  Therefore, a motion to approve the sale of retired K-9 Officer “Ranger” to handler Sgt. Michael McBride for $1.00.
• A motion to approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford F250 Crew Cab from Baierl Ford (Zelienople, PA) in the amount of $37,925 (Costar Pricing). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.A motion to approve the request to close the 300 block for Foch Street on October 3 from 2-6pm for a “Foch Street Meet and Greet the Neighbors”.
• A motion to approve the purchase of a 2021 Ford Police Interceptor from Jim Shorkey Auto Group (North Huntingdon, PA) in the amount of $34,961.77 (Costar Pricing).  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote from ISV in the amount of $14,441 (Costar Pricing) for the upfitting of the police cruiser.  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote from Cam-Rahn Cortez Construction in the amount of $12,262 to replace the concrete section of Sixth Street from Glen Avenue to Spring Avenue.  This amount will be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to advertise an ordinance repealing Section 1026.03 “Pipe Specifications; Installations and Restoration” from the Book of Codified Ordinances as it relates to Drainage.
• A motion to advertise bids for the purchase/installation of a salt storage building.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Girls Softball to use the southwest corner of the multi-purpose field April 20 – November 1, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4-9pm.
• A motion to approve the request by the Ellwood City Farmers’ Market to use the Beaver Avenue parking lot, stage and comfort station Saturdays from June 5 – October 9 from 9:30-11:30am
• A motion to approve the request to use the Community Plaza on Lawrence Avenue on May 6 from 11-2pm for National Day of Prayer.
• A motion to approve the employment of David Custozzo as Park Manager at the rate of $13.00/hr, contingent upon a satisfactory background check/clearance.
• A motion to approve the employment of Ashleigh Ionta as Playground/Concession Stand Coordinator at the salary of $3000, contingent upon a satisfactory background check/clearance.
• A motion to approve the employment of the following individuals for summer work, contingent upon satisfactory background checks/clearances:
  • Marvin Kreiling, Parks, $9.00, Criminal History, Driver’s History
  • Nicholas Garuccio, Parks, $9.00, Criminal History, Driver’s History
  • Hunter Biddle, Parks, $8.50, Criminal History, Driver’s History
  • Reed Angelucci, Playground, $9.00, Child Abuse, Criminal History, Fingerprint, Criminal History
  • Alexandra Byers, Playground, $9.00, Child Abuse, Criminal History, Fingerprint, Criminal History
• A motion to approve the request of EFN Ellwood Property, LLC to have an off-street parking lot at 1036 Center Avenue which is a Conditional Use in a C-3: GW Zoning District.
• A motion to approve the following sewer tap in fee: Robert Grumski, 1201 Aetna Drive – 1 tap, 1 EDU, $1,000.
• A motion to approve the request by the ECABF to place a 10’x12’ shed at the Rosanna Playground to be used for storage/selling concessions.
• A motion to approve covering the payments of the electric bill (Penn Power) for the “Ellwood City” sign located at the intersection of SR 288/65 (northeast corner).  These charges will be paid from the General Fund.