School Crossing Guard to Borough Council: Speeding Out of Control, Dangerous

A school crossing guard urged the Ellwood City Borough Council to do something about the speeding cars at the intersection of 4^th and Crescent Avenues Monday evening at the regular meeting of council prompting immediate action by Mayor Anthony Court.

Peri Malcolm, school crossing guard, said the amount of cars speeding in the mornings and afternoons while school children are walking to school is alarming.

“They are just flying up and down the streets. Somebody is going to get hurt there.”

Malcolm said she takes her post from 7:10 to 8 a.m. and again from 2:10 to 3 p.m. and it’s always the same thing: speeding vehicles.

And it’s not just students driving to school that are to blame for the behavior, she said it’s everyone down to the large trucks making deliveries to the schools and adults of all ages.

Malcolm said the speeding is excessive both times of the day that she is posted, but the morning is especially dangerous as most days it is still dark.

Councilman James Barry suggested parking a police car with flashing lights at the intersection to deter speeding vehicles.

Councilman Caleb Cragle said that something needs to be done suggesting flashing beacons like the ones in the area of the Perry School building.

Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said he would consult with the school to see who would be responsible for putting up the signage.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Court said there would be police presence starting Tuesday at the intersection monitoring vehicle speed.

In other news:

Court announced that if Ellwood City’s football team makes the playoffs in either a home or away game, Trick or Treat would be moved to November 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. *UPDATE 11/23/25 11:32 a.m.*: On Thursday, the Borough announced trick or treat would be held on Thursday, October 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Read about the Wolverines playoff implications here.

Swogger reminded the public that the Planned Power Outage in the borough will now be held on Sunday, October 26. Read about the outage here.

He also wanted to put a rumor to rest about the Ellwood City Community Gardens. He said that despite chatter around town, the gardens are not going away nor are they being moved at this time. This project is funded by part of a grant, and he said it is a vital part of the community.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 9/15/25 and the Special Meeting held 9/23/25.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 10/17/25, in the amount of $529,841.62, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 10/17/25, in the amount of $902,042.97.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the submission of the COBO 2025 grant application in the amount of $125,379.00 for Street Improvements, 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 $366,611.79 received in Pension State Aid for 2025 as follows: Firemen’s Pension Plan $26,662.67; Municipal Pension Plan $206,635.74; and Police Pension Plan$133,313.38. Therefore, $53,319.33 is owed to the Firemen’s Plan, $40,120.26 is owed to the Municipal Employees Plan and a balance of $306,761.62 is owed to the Police Plan. Further, it is moved that these balances be paid by the General Fund by December 31, 2025.
• 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 9:45am- l 0:45am for a Halloween Parade.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing a stop intersection on College Street at First Avenue (northbound & southbound). (“No” votes were given by Councilman James Johnson, Councilman George Celli, and Councilwoman Jan Williams. Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza absent from the meeting. Mayor Anthony Court broke the tie vote.)
• A motion to approve the payment to Pollard Land Services in the amount of $65,000 for costs associated with the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project (interest claim). This amount will be paid from the Sewage Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote from McCutcheon Enterprises, Inc. (MEI) in the amount of approximately $150,000 for sludge removal/cleaning of the oxidation tanks and influent tank at the wastewater treatment plant. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to authorize the Civil Service Commission to start the process of obtaining a new Police Eligibility List.
• A motion to approve the following sewer taps:
  • George Sewall, III, 112 White Fox Ct, Lot 32 (N. Sew Twp.), 1 tap, $1000
  • George Sewall, III, 115 White Fox Ct, Lot 33 (N. Sew Twp.), 1 tap, $1000

Motions not passed:

• A motion to approve the payment to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) in the amount of $51,882.54 for engineering services associated with the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project. This amount will be paid from PennVest (contingency). (The “No” vote was unanimous, with Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza absent from the meeting)
• A motion to approve the bid for the Beaver Co. Repository property located at 318 Hillside Avenue (22-001-0917.000-01-1) to Yuji Ono for $769, plus fees (grand total $2363.35).  It is further requested to exonerate the 2025 Borough taxes owed ($283.73 Face). (“No” votes were given by Councilman Brad Ovial, Councilman James Barry, Councilman James Johnson, Councilman George Celli, Councilman Caleb Cragle; Councilwoman Jan Williams voted “Yes;” and Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza was absent from the meeting).

Announcements:

• Halloween Parade – October 25, 3:00pm
• Trick or Treat – October 31, 6-8pm (tentative based on Ellwood City’s Playoff chances)
• 2026 Budget Workshops – Nov 10 at 6:30pm