Ellwood City Borough Council Awards Commendations, Hires Police Officers

The Ellwood City Borough Council awarded two commendations during its regular meeting Monday night.

The first commendation was given by Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court and Ellwood City Police Sgt. Michael McBride to Darrell Hunt, a street department employee, who was integral in helping the police department solve a recent criminal case. He witnessed the criminal activity and reported it to police. Court said Hunt’s swift actions led to an arrest of the suspects involved.

Ellwood City Police officer Joshua Sipe was also recognized for going above and beyond in his duties. On March 29, Sipe saw borough resident Anthony J. “Tony” Celli in distress laying in his yard. Sipe stayed with Celli and attended to him until he could be helped by medical personnel. Celli’s family attended the meeting and offered a heartfelt and emotional thank you to the officer. Celli’s daughter Claire Fauzy said the officer’s actions gave her family two weeks of time with her father that they might not have had otherwise. Celli, passed away on April 17. Fauzy, joined her husband, Jonathan, daughters Maura and Ella, and her Uncle Councilman George Celli—Tony’s brother—in gratitude for Sipe’s actions.

Sgt. Michael McBride, Darrell Hunt, and Mayor Anthony Court.

McBride praised Sipe as well. “This is the epitome of police work,” McBride said.

Council also added two full-time patrolmen—Robert Bird and David Samsa—at the rate of $24.06 per hour. And announced that Patrolman James Cunningham has completed his probationary period within the department.

In addition, Council voted to advertise for a part-time, non-civil service patrolman.

Court said the department is obtaining training in various categories including narcotics, basic swat, and interrogation tactics. The department is also working with the county to obtain grant money that could help with drug arrests.

He said he is very pleased to welcome Bird and Samsa to the department.

L to R: Sgt. Michael McBride, Johnathan Fauzy with daughters Ella and Maura, Claire Fauzy, Officer Josh Sipe, and Mayor Anthony Court.

Court added that K9 Officer Richard Kruger and “Justice” the new dog will complete training in two weeks.

“Justice” is the department’s third K9 officer. The first dog, “Jozek,” retired in 2016 and second dog “Ranger,” son of “Jozek,” retired in 2021.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 3/21/22, as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 4/12/22, in the amount of $127,106.79, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 4/13/22, in the amount of $224,403.50.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial (America250PA).
• A motion to advertise an ordinance regulating disorderly houses.
• A motion to approve the request to use the Community Plaza on May 5 from 11-2pm for the National Day of Prayer event.
• A motion to approve the request by Boy Scout Troop #806 to camp at shelter #8 on April 22 & 23 during the Earth Day Festivities and to have a small campfire.
• A motion to approve the request to use the Community Plaza on June 4 from 12-9pm (actual event 5-7pm) for a city-wide gathering consisting of music, testimonies, and food trucks on Lawrence Avenue.
• A motion to approve the request by the Memorial Day Parade Committee to hold the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and to use the parking area near Todd Avenue as a staging area. It is also requested to use Legion Park for a ceremony and Pittsburgh Circle Heritage Park for a community cookout.
• A motion to approve the employment of the following individuals for summer work, contingent upon satisfactory background checks/clearances at a rate of $12 an hour:
  • Olivia Morrow
  • Colin Williams
  • Talan Young
• A motion to adopt the Police Eligibility List dated 4/11/22, as submitted by the Civil Service Commission.
• A motion to hire Jason Crawford and Nic Marcinko as part- time firefighters at the rate of $16.50/hour.
• A motion to sell 1127 Center Avenue
• A motion to purchase the property at 806 Fifth Street from the Beaver County Repository.
• A motion to approve the quote from Tom Sipes Demolition in the amount of $6,500 to demolish the structure at 806 Fifth Street.
• A motion to authorize the Borough Solicitor to condemn and seek court approval to have the property at 322 Orchard Avenue vacated.
• A motion to approve the bid for the Beaver Co. Repository property located at 000 Summit Avenue (22-001-0833.000) and 216 Summit Avenue (22-001-0833.001) to Boost Living for $766.50 and $1433.01, respectively. Councilmembers Brad Ovial and Jan Williams voted no.
• A motion to approve the request to use the multi-purpose field at Stiefel Park on April 30 from 3:30pm – 5pm for a youth football camp contingent upon proof of $1 million insurance coverage, submission of legal name of the entity, that the event named is an event free of charge to attend. Councilman Caleb Cragle voted no.
• A motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) relative to law enforcement and the Ellwood City Area School District. The MOU establishes procedures to be followed when certain incidents occur on school property, at any school sponsored activity, or on a vehicle providing transportation to or from a school or school sponsored activity.