Council Approves Change Order for Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project; Recognizes Councilman Jim Barry for Years of Service

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve a $35,820 change order for the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project during the July 15 meeting.

The change stems from unforeseen field conditions.

Tyler Watts, project manager, from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., the engineer firm overseeing the project, said the cost could not be detected prior to a field inspection which is required for any contractor.

“There are five laterals that need to be tied into the system,” she said.

The amount will be paid from the PennVest contingency.

Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said the project is 67% completed with an on-target completion date of April 2025.

Mayor Anthony Court announced that All Aboard Ellwood has received a $400,000 matching grant from the Hoyt. He said All Aboard leaders, Nick Genova and Raymond Santillo will be working to raise the matching funds to put toward a museum.

“It’s a win-win,” Court said. “We are hoping they can come up with the money to match the pledge.”

Council recognized Councilman Jim Barry for 12 years of service. He was presented a certificate of appreciation from Court and Council President Brad Ovial.

Motions approved:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 6/17/24.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 7/11/24, in the amount of $560,429.36, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 7/11/24, in the amount of $764,408.88.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to approve the quote from Insight Pipe Contracting in the amount of approximately $11,940 to line 200 feet of sanitary sewers on Evans Drive. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $0 from Penn Ohio Electrical Co. relative to the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project. This is a time only change order. A time extension will be required to reflect the contract duration change dates. This is required to realign Contract 2 (electrical) substantial completion dates with Contract 1 (general) due to the required sequencing of work.
• A motion to approve the request by Bob Rak to use the Ewing Park basketball court July 29 – August 2, Monday- Friday from 10 a.m. to Noon for a free basketball camp/clinic.
• A motion to approve the proposal from Beatty Architecture in the amount of $8,800 to provide architectural, electrical and plumbing design for the Ewing Park Family Restroom project. This amount will be paid from the Park Improvement Fund.
• A motion to approve the request by EC Volleyball to use the volleyball courts in Ewing Park July 7-Aug 12, Mondays, from 6 to 10 p.m.
• A motion to ratify the employment of the following individual for summer work, contingent upon satisfactory background checks/clearances: Branden Hendrickson, Parks, $13.00/hr, pending Criminal History, Driver’s History
• A motion to accept the entrance into the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) by Sgt. Robert Magnifico, effective 7/15/24. His last day of employment will be 7/15/28.
• A motion to authorize the hiring of Caleb Duda as a Firefighter/Paramedic at the rate of $18.00/hour or $20.50/hour respectively.