Ewing Park Residents Implore Ellwood City Borough Council to Consider Impact of Planned Softball Field

Residents of Beatty Street and Wood Avenue continued to oppose a planned softball field in their Ewing Park neighborhood during Monday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Borough Council.

Although there were no motions on the agenda regarding the field, a dedicated group of residents attended to express their concerns.

Karen Mancini who lives on Beatty Street asked Council to consider putting up signs on the streets surrounding the field, should the stadium be built, that would allow only residents and guests of residents to park there. She stressed to council that some residents don’t have off-street parking.

Emily Denome of Wood Street said a concern of hers is sewage backup. Denome said it has happened before in her basement and she believes it could happen again with the addition of the facilities added to the neighborhood.

Patty Colao, Wood Street, said she hopes that when it’s time to make a decision whether to allow the field and facilities to be placed in the former Ewing Park School location that officials consider the concerns of the residents surrounding it.

“I think we all know it’s not the right location for the field. They would never allow it within 20 feet of their front yards,” Calao said regarding the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Director’s choice of location.

Zach and Jackie Powell thanked Council for listening to the residents and for offering an alternative to the old Ewing Park School location. Zach asked Council to consider the overall impact the field and facilities would have on the park and events held there.

“It will have a long-term effect on the park.” he said.

To Read Related Stories about the Planned Softball Stadium:

ECASD Approves Plan to Construct New Softball Field, Renovate Baseball Field

ECASD Board of Directors Meeting: Ewing Park Residents Oppose New Location for Softball Field

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

Residents Continue Opposition Against Planned Softball Stadium at Former Ewing Park School Location

Chuck Fotola attended the meeting to express his concern about safety on Fourth Street. He suggested a stop sign at Franklin and Fourth Streets to slow down truck and general traffic in that area,

“Somebody is going to get hurt or killed. It’s going to happen,” he said.

Fotola’s concern was addressed by council soon after when they unanimously passed a motion to advertise an ordinance amending the traffic ordinance establishing stop intersections at the following locations: Fourth Street Franklin Avenue Northbound & Southbound; Hazel Avenue Union Street Northbound & Southbound; Ninth Street Crescent Avenue Northbound.

Other motions passed:

A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 9/18/23, as submitted.
A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 10/11/23, in the amount of $637,926.98, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 10/11/23, in the amount of $213,454.60.
A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, establishing a loading and unloading zone on Birch Way, north and south side, from 4th Street to a point 76 feet east, applicable at all times.
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the submission of the CDBG 2023 grant application in the amount of $128,317 for Curb Cuts, Housing Rehabilitation and Program Administration and further to authorize the Council President to sign any and all documents relative to the same.
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the distribution of $297,222.30 received in Pension State Aid for 2023 as follows: Firemen’s Pension Plan $11,655.78; Municipal Pension Plan $169,008.76; and Police Pension Plan $116,557.76. Therefore, $67,782.22 is owed to the Firemen’s Plan, $194,787.24 is owed to the Municipal Employees Plan and a balance of $215,654.24 is owed to the Police Plan. Further, it is moved that these balances be paid by the General Fund by December 31, 2023.
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, approving the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license # R-17325 from El Canelo, Inc, 2201 W. State Street, New Castle, Lawrence County, PA 16101 to El Canelo Inc. located at 225 Fifth Street, Ellwood City, Lawrence Co., PA 16117.
A motion to accept the resignation of Frank Lordi, Jr. from the Economic Development Authority.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Children’s Center to close First Street from Spring Avenue to Pittsburgh Circle on October 31 from 9:45-10:45am for a Halloween Parade.
A motion to advertise an ordinance amending the traffic ordinance establishing stop intersections at the following locations: Fourth Street Franklin Avenue Northbound & Southbound; Hazel Avenue Union Street Northbound & Southbound; Ninth Street Crescent Avenue Northbound.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Parade Committee to hold the Christmas Parade December 2 beginning at 3:30pm.
A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold an “Ugly Sweater 5K” event December 9 from 3-5pm in Ewing Park.
A motion advertise bids for the purchase of a used dump truck (19,500 GVW).
A motion to accept the resignation of Mia Muraca, Animal Control Officer, effective immediately.
A motion to approve the transfer of Kim Spiker from Bookkeeper to Clerk I, effective 11/2/23 at the rate of $18.054/hour (90% of full rate of $20.06).
A motion to advertise for the position of Bookkeeper in the Clerical Department. The rate of pay is $20.60/hour (85% of full rate of $24.23).
A motion to approve having Rachel Reda provide clerical assistance to the Civil Service Commission at the rate of $14.00/hour (with an amount not to exceed $140).
A motion to approve the bid for the Lawrence Co. Repository property located at 400 13th Street (11-010200) to 2vin Home Investments for $808.00.
A motion to approve the proposal submitted by HRG to provide Engineering Services in the amount of $10,600 for the 5th Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Fund.
A motion to approve the employment of Brian Franksain, Jr. as a Paramedic at the rate of $20.00 per hour.