Borough Council Extends Invite to ECASD Board of Directors to Discuss Softball Field Location Options

Speaking on behalf of the Borough of Ellwood City, Borough Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during Monday night’s meeting that the borough would be glad to meet with the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors to discuss an alternate location for the girl’s softball field.

Leymarie said the borough has received numerous phone calls with complaints about the Ewing Park School property location, which is the site that was chosen unanimously by the ECASD’s Board of Directors.

“We are prepared to enter into a long-term lease if the school is interested,” he said.

That offer was a great idea in the eyes of the residents in attendance who live on Beatty Street and Wood Street.

Wood Street resident Patty Clout said although she believes the girls deserve a great field, the Ewing Park location is not suitable or logical for the field or the facilities associated with it. She cited numerous concerns including safety of residents, traffic flow, and destruction of property from foul balls.

Zach Powell who lives on Beatty Street said he has grown up in that neighborhood. He implored council to actively approach the school board with the offer and said that they have not been receptive to the concerns of the residents in the neighborhood. Powell said that area is a “prime piece of real estate” not suited for a sports complex of any kind. Like Clout, he also is concerned about safety, traffic flow, and the close quarters of the area.

Another resident attended the August 14th Council Agenda Meeting and expressed her opposition to the field. At that time Beatty Street Resident Karen Mancini asked Council to work with the school board to find an alternative. Just like Clout and Powell, she cited safety, traffic, and noise as reasons for her opposition.

“It’s nice as long as it’s not in YOUR front yard,” she said.

It was during the July voting meeting that the ECASD’s Board of Directors passed the plan to commit to improving district softball and baseball facilities, including a newly constructed softball field on the Ewing Park School property and renovations to the existing baseball field as recommended by the ECASD Board Athletic Committee.

Motions Passed:

A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 7/17/23, as submitted.
A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 8/16/23, in the amount of $546,900.13, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 8/16/23, in the amount of $270,669.54.
A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, amending the traffic ordinance establishing stop intersections at the following locations:
- Park Avenue & Seventh Street, Eastbound & Westbound
- East Avenue & Perry Street, Westbound
- Foch Street & Jefferson Avenue, Northbound & Southbound
- Foch Street & Adams Avenue, Northbound & Southbound
- Petain Street & Washington Avenue, Southbound
- Hazel Avenue & Bridge Street, Eastbound & Westbound
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, appointing Amy McKinney as the Fair Housing Officer.
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, appointing Rebecca Shaffer as the Section 504 Housing Officer.
A motion to appoint Tom Yoho to the vacancy on the Civil Service Commission for a term that expires 12/31/23.
A motion to approve the request by the American Legion to suspend the burning ordinance for a flag retirement ceremony September 16, from 9am-12pm at Legion Park.
A motion to approve the request to close Orchard Avenue from Union Street to Roosevelt Way September 3 from 1-8pm.
A motion to approve the Agreement, as submitted, with the Office of the Attorney General (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force – OCDETF) relative to task force activities and reimbursements.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Parade Committee to hold the Halloween Parade October 28 beginning at 3:30pm.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Let There Be Lights event December 1 from 6-9pm on Lawrence Avenue. It is further requested to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th – 6th Street at 3:30pm for the event.
A motion to advertise an ordinance establishing a $200 fee when Advanced Life Support (ALS) services is required to assist an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider and are required to accompany a patient to a receiving facility
A motion to authorize the Civil Service Commission to start the process for obtaining a new Police Eligibility List.
A motion to advertise for bids on a new and/or used street sweeper.
A motion to award the bids for the Wampum Avenue Pump Station, Contract 1 (General) to Pollard Land Services, (Girard, PA) in the amount of $6,299,875 and Contract 2 (Electrical) to Penn-Ohio Electrical (Masury, OH) in the amount of $847,000. These amounts will be paid from the Sewage Fund (reimbursed by PennVest grant/loan funds).
A motion to ratify the payment in the amount of $10,511.25 to Republic Services for the disposal/recycling of wastewater material. This amount was paid from the Sewage Fund.
A motion to approve the payment in the amount of $23,600 to Kendall Electric for replacement of 100 street lights. This amount will be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to use the Pickleball Courts in Ewing Park September 9, 16 and 23 from 9am – 12pm.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to use Ewing Park from December 2 – 23 from 6-9pm for the annual Christmas in the Park event.
A motion to approve the request by Reeds Services to use Ewing Park and all facilities for the 4th annual “Dog Days of Summer” event on June 17 – June 23, 2024 (actual days are June 21-23, 2024). It is further requested to suspend Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol in Ewing Park. This suspension only applies to participants of the “Dog Days of Summer K-9 Benefit” event held June 21-23. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
A motion to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Ed Leymarie, as submitted, relative to the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project and the PennVest closing. His costs shall not exceed $10,000. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Fund (reimbursed by PennVest grant/loan funds).
A motion to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Buchanan (Lynn Freeman), as submitted, relative to the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project and the PennVest closing. Her costs shall not exceed $20,000. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Fund (reimbursed by PennVest grant/loan funds).
A motion to accept the resignation of Jonathan Gardner, parttime firefighter, effective 8/14/23.
A motion to approve the payment in the amount of $9,505.03 to Fire Force for a thermal imaging camera for the fire department. This amount will be paid from the 2023 State Grant.
A motion to approve the travel request of Mayor Anthony Court and Councilperson Judith Dici to attend the PSAB Conference in Erie, PA October 13-15. The total cost to attend is $1121.28 plus any meals and mileage. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.