Ellwood City Borough Council Enacts Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program, hires Borough Manager

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance, creating an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program and to advertise an ordinance creating a 1 mill tax for those services.

The move comes following a voter referendum on November 8 during the election in which a majority of voters were in favor of the program.

During the October Council meeting, The Ellwood City Community Health Foundation presented the Ellwood City Fire Department a check for $175,000.

Council voted at that October meeting to advertise an ordinance creating the ALS program, as well as an agreement that the program will be partially funded by the Health Foundation’s funding.

Council also added two additional part-time paramedics at the rate of $20.00/hour: Ernest Mallary, Jr. and Christopher Szymoniak.

Council also hired a new Borough Manager, Kevin Swogger.

Motions Passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearings (2) held 10/17/22 and the Regular Meeting held 10/17/22, as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 11/15/22, in the amount of $1,127,985.83, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 11/16/22, in the amount of $479,624.23.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
• A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, designating Birch Way from Fourth Street to a point 76 feet east as one way (eastbound).
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, declaring the use of General Funds, General Capital Reserve Funds, Sewer Funds, Sewer Capital Reserve Funds or a Line of Credit, if needed, for the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project.
• 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 25 through December 31, 2022. 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.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, accepting the $6,000,000 funding offer from PennVest for the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project and designating the Council President, Borough Manager, Borough Secretary and/or the Borough Solicitor as authorized signatories for the same.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation to file an application to include Ellwood City Borough in a proposed multi-municipal, Lawrence County Keystone Communities Enterprise Zone Designation application with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Such benefits available to eligible business will be to those in the Industrial Zoning District.
• A motion to authorize the donation in an amount up to $2,500 in 2023 to the Ellwood City Area Historical Society. This amount will be paid from the L&N Property Fund and shall be used for digitizing historical records.
• A motion to approve an Agreement, as submitted, with the Ellwood City Area School District providing public safety/police protection for school events.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Parade Committee to hold the Christmas Parade December 3 beginning at 3:30pm.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance repealing one way traffic on Glen Avenue from 5th Street to a point 350 feet westbound.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing a stop intersection on Glen Avenue at Fifth Street (eastbound).
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing turning at certain intersection, specifically Glenn Avenue, eastbound, not to make left turn or straight through onto Fifth Street.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing no parking (south side) on Glen Avenue from Fifth Street to a point 350 feet west.
• A motion to approve the quote (ratify) from Youngblood Paving in the amount of $9,000 to resurface the pavement in Ewing Park for a pickleball court. This amount will be paid from the Marcellus Shale Fund.
• A motion to approve the employment of Joseph Howard as a Part-time Patrolman, contingent upon the successful completion of any remaining background The rate of pay is $20.28/hour.
• A motion to approve the employment of Jennifer Greco as Crossing Guard, contingent upon the successful completion of all background checks. The rate of of pay is $11.50/hour.
• A motion to approve the employment of Kevin Swogger as Borough Manager at the salary of $70,000 and to further approve his Employment Agreement, as submitted.
• A motion to approve renewing the lease agreement with Children’s Advocacy Center of Lawrence County at the rate of $575/month. A motion to advertise the vacancies on the following Boards/Commissions: Zoning Hearing Board, EC Planning Commission, Library Board, Board of Health, and Recreation Board.
• A motion 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.
• A motion to approve the Workers Compensation Insurance with the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) for the volunteer firefighters for the period 1/1/23 – 1/1/24. The estimated annual premium is $15,209 (final premium is subject to adjustment by audit). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the year 2023 cost of living adjustments for retired police officers Brian Damon, Jon Disher (DROP), Patricia Forester (QDRO), David Kingston, Matthew Liberatore, Richard List, John Lubich, and Wayne Parsons, as submitted by the Actuary.
• A motion to accept the recommendation from Mayor Court and Sgt. McBride that Ptl. David Samsa has completed his six (6) months probationary period and there is no need to extend it.
• A motion to accept the recommendation from Mayor Court and Sgt. McBride that Ptl. Robert Bird has completed his six (6) months probationary period and there is no need to extend it.
• A motion to approve the 2023 fee schedule as submitted by Richardson Inspection Services for zoning services.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Sharon Smith, Administrative Assistant, effective 11/9/22, her last day of employment.
• A motion to advertise the position of Administrative Assistant.
• A motion to award the bid on the sale of 806 Fifth Street (#22-002-0707.000) to Constance Kennedy for $1,001.00
• A motion to approve the quote from Tom Sipes Demolition in the amount of $8,900 to demolish the structure at 1219 Crescent Avenue. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.

Announcements:

• Budget Workshop will be held November 30 at 5 p.m.