Columbia Gas Official Announces Meter Move Out Program at Borough Council Meeting

The Ellwood City Borough Council welcomed visitors from Columbia Gas who were in attendance to announce the Meter Move Out Program.

Columbia Gas implemented the Meter Move Out Program to comply with a requirement from The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to locate all gas meters and regulators outside and above ground. Learn more about the program here.

Carla Parkes, senior public affairs specialist with Columbia Gas, said the program will impact commercial and residential properties within Ellwood City. Parkes said residents in the borough will start to receive letters from Columbia Gas alerting them to the program.

Council President Brad Ovial said this project was not mandated in anyway by the borough and is instead mandated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. He said all utility companies in the state must comply.

Ellwoodcity.org will have more information about the program and what to expect in an upcoming story.

Ball fields continue to be a topic of interest to the public. Emily DeNome of Wood Street remains steadfast in her commitment to fight the proposed Ellwood City Girls Softball Field at the old Ewing Park School property. She said her fight won’t end. She believes the school should retrofit the field house near Helling Stadium to provide facilities for the girls.

“It’s cheaper than spending the taxpayers money,” she said.

Three dads and coaches within the baseball program attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the future of The Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation (ECABF). Their concern is that should the Ewing Park School location be denied as the location of the girls softball field, a possible plan to construct it where the little league field is now might leave their program without a home.

Chris Weisz, Ellwood City’s high school baseball coach, has three kids in the little league program and said they really want to ensure that the little league program will always have a home. He said that baseball has such a deep history and meaning in Ellwood City helping guide youth to positive outlets and bright futures.

“It signifies the strength of the community,” he said.

ECABF President Joe Nardone said the 75+ year program is still going strong in Ellwood City with more than 150 kids signed up to play. He said it’s impact on the community is multi-generational.

“I played,” he said. “My parents played.”

Nardone wants to make certain that amid the back and forth about the softball field, that ECABF doesn’t get forgotten.

Jeremy Miller, vice president of the ECABF, joined Weisz and Nardone with sentiments of how important the program is.

“It’s the longest running little league tournament in the state,” Miller said.

Ovial reminded the public that although any issues impacting Ellwood City are of interest to Council, they do not have a vote regarding the softball field.

“Those people up on the hill have the vote,” he said, referring to the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 8/19/24, as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 9/12/24, in the amount of $684,878.25, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 9/12/24, in the amount of $303,081.39.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
• A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, amending the traffic ordinance establishing a West Truck Route 351 via Route 65/288 South.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, approving the PA Department of Transportation’s Winter Maintenance Agreements for Lawrence and Beaver Counties at the reimbursement rates of $25,207.38 and $2,394.46, respectively.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, re-establishing reimbursement fees for specific Borough equipment/vehicles.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, confirming receipt of the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) by September 30, 2024.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing fees for payments processed by credit/debit cards and by Echeck.
• A motion to approve the payment to Motorola Solutions in the amount of $5,986.25 for the purchase of a portable police radio and programming. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote, as submitted, from Connectel to install a new phone system at the Fire Department (Community Center) utilizing Sangoma Hosted Phone Solutions at a total monthly cost of $883.65 for 60 months (hardware, cabling, networking and firewall). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing No Parking on Sims Street (south side) beginning at a point 206 feet from Beatty Street for a distance of 147 feet.
• A motion to rescind the motion made at the Regular Council Meeting held 8/19/24 approving “eliminating traffic control and intersection #5 (7th/Beaver) from the CDBG 2022 ADA Curb Ramp Project and for the Borough to contribute $4,346.44 towards this project. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.”
• A motion to approve the payment to Tom Sipes Demolition in the amount of $8,500 for the demolition of the Borough-owned structure at 116 Hazen Avenue. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the request by the Stiefel Park Hockey Team to use the rink at Stiefel Park August 26 – November 30 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Community Enrichment to use Shelter #3, stage, and restrooms in Ewing Park on September 21 from 4-7:30pm for the annual Storytelling Festival event.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Brian Franksain, Paramedic, effective 8/23/24.
• A motion to approve the monthly pension benefit (DROP) for Ptl. Robert Magnifico (Police Pension Plan), retroactive to August 1, 2024, as submitted by the Borough’s Actuary.
• A motion to rescind the motion made at the Regular Council meeting held 5/15/23 approving “the request by Fifth and Spring, LLC to build a 2,060 square foot Dunkin’ Fast Food Restaurant at the intersection of Fifth Street and Spring Avenue.”
• A motion to approve the request by Fifth and Spring, LLC to build a 2,060 square foot Dunkin’ Fast Food Restaurant at the intersection of Fifth Street and Spring Avenue.

Announcements:

• October Committee of the Whole Meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, October 15, due to Columbus Day Holiday
• Fall Clean Up – October 19, Cost to Residents $10.00/vehicle
• Trick or Treat will be held October 26, 5:30-7:30pm