Ellwood City Borough Council Still Seeking Borough Manager Candidates

Ellwood City Borough Council announced the end of the Emergency Declaration enacted on January 26, 2026, by the Mayor of Ellwood City, Anthony Court, during Monday’s regular council meeting.

Brad Ovial, president of council, spoke on behalf of Court stating that the emergency declaration has officially ended.

Ovial also praised various public works and public safety officials who worked endlessly providing services to the public. He thanked the public works departments who kept the streets cleared as well as the police and firefighters who were all dedicated to providing service to those who needed it during the storm.

The Ellwood City Borough is still seeking candidates to fill the vacant borough manager’s position.

Per the job listing on the borough website, they are “seeking a professional, forward thinking, and organized Borough Manager to serve as our Chief Administrative Officer. This is a full-time exempt role, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the borough, ensuring that municipal services are delivered efficiently and that the policies established by the Borough Council are implemented effectively. This position reports to Borough Council. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader capable of managing diverse departments, from Public Works to Administration, while maintaining a transparent and fiscally responsible local government.”

The listing provides specific requirements of the job. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to: Borough of Ellwood City, c/o Borough Secretary, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117, by Friday, February 27, 2026 at 4 p.m.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Reorganizational Meeting held 1/5/26 and the Regular Meeting held 1/20/26 as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 2/13/26, in the amount of $576,183.33, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 2/13/26 in the amount of $360,584.25.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, establishing a policy on payments made with loose change.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, amending the Borough’s fee schedule.
• A motion to appoint Caleb Cragle to the vacancy on the Board of Health for a term that expires 12/31/27.
• A motion to exonerate the tax collector from further collection of the 2025 real estate taxes charged to her. The tax collector has accounted for all monies as either collected, exonerated, or liened in accordance with her report.
• A motion to approve the request by the Memorial Day Parade Committee to hold the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25 beginning at 10 a.m. and to use the parking area near Todd Avenue as a staging area. It is also requested to use Legion Park for a ceremony and Pittsburgh Circle Heritage Park for a community cookout following the parade and ceremony.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold the “Wander Ellwood” event on June 10, July 15, and August 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., and September 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. It is also requested to approve suspending Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol. This suspension only applies to participants of the “Wander Ellwood” event. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary Borough, State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to advertise an ordinance establishing a 90-minute parking zoning on Pittsburgh Circle (west side) from Glen Avenue to a point 100′ south, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• A motion to approve the purchase of five (5) police radios from Wayne Township at a total cost of $8,000 ($1,600 each). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab from Wayne Township at a cost of $40,000. This amount will be paid from the General Fund ($35,000) and the Drug Investigation Fund ($5,000).
• A motion to rescind the motion made at the Regular Council Meeting held 1/20/26 approving “the quote from Chalmers & Kubeck in the amount of $89,000 to make repairs to the #4 rotor at the wastewater treatment plant. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Collection System Fund ($58,000) and the Sewage Fund ($31,000).”
• A motion to approve the quote from Chalmers & Kubeck in the amount of $89,000 to make repairs to the #4 rotor at the wastewater treatment plant. This amount will be paid from the Sewage Capital Reserve Fund ($58,000) and the Sewage Fund ($31,000).
• A motion to approve the request by Evan’s Monumental Gifts to use the grassy areas of Ewing Park and the bocce court on August 22 for a carnival fundraiser.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to use Ewing Park and all facilities for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This request is also asking for permission to invite food trucks to the event and paying the appropriate fee to the Borough.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to use Ewing Park and parking areas for the annual Earth Day event on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This request is also asking for permission to invite food trucks to the event and paying the appropriate fee to the Borough.
• A motion to approve the request by the Ellwood City Farmers’ Market to use the Beaver Avenue parking lot, Saturdays from June 6 – October 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.
• A motion to establish the 2026 employee hourly billing rates as follows:

• • When Borough manpower is utilized for “In Borough Taxpayers/Groups” (businesses, residents, profit/non-profit groups), ACTUAL employee hourly rate (whether Base Rate or Overtime Rate), shall be used 2) When Borough manpower is utilized for “Out of Borough Third Party Vendor Activity” (businesses (Federal/State agencies/Utilities), residents, profit/non-profit groups), then the Standardized Billing Rates (Base and/or Overtime Rate) established annually by Council, shall be used. Any and all requests for Borough manpower must be submitted to the Borough Manager/Council for review before the Borough’s manpower can be utilized.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the Mechanical & Electrical Amusement Devices Ordinance changing the date when the license fee is due from January 31 to November 1 of each year.
• A motion to approve the quote in the amount of $17,733 from Central Heating & Plumbing to replace the air conditioning unit at the Community Center (above fire department) with 2 mini split systems. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the lot consolidation (reverse subdivision) of Gerald and Tina Wallace of 215 ½ Circle Way, combining two (2) lots into one (1) lot.

Announcements:

• Picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 23) for Borough residents and beginning on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 23) for non-borough residents. All reservations must be made in person at the borough building.