Council Approves Bid Process to Upgrade Women’s Softball Field at Stiefel Park

Council voted to authorize the Borough’s engineer to prepare/advertise bids for the upgrading of the Women’s softball field in Stiefel Park.

The vote was unanimous and follows a consistent commitment to the Ellwood City Area School District to work with them to help provide the girls’ softball team a dedicated home field.

They first offered an olive branch in August of 2023. Speaking on behalf of the Borough of Ellwood City, then Borough Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during that August 2023 meeting that the borough would be glad to meet with the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors to discuss an alternate location for the girls’ softball field.

At that time, Leymarie said the borough had received numerous phone calls with complaints about the Ewing Park School property location, which is the site that was chosen unanimously by the ECASD’s Board of Directors as the site for the new field.

“We are prepared to enter into a long-term lease if the school is interested,” he said.

The school district did not accept the borough’s offer at that time and instead forged forward with the hopes of constructing a field at the Ewing Park site, despite pushback from Ewing Park residents surrounding the proposed site and local taxpayers, but following numerous denials, including appeals to the zoning hearing board and the court of common pleas, the district ended its fight.

In August of 2025, ECASD Board of Directors voted to allow the girls softball team to use neighboring school districts’ fields for home games, which came with a cost. The girls’ softball team has been traveling to neighboring fields for “home” games during the last year, but never truly found a home. Officials were originally considering additional options for construction of a field on district property as the girl’s played their “home” games away, however with the district now facing a budget shortfall, a new field is simply not part of the plan at this time.

This move by council is re-extending the olive branch to the ECASD and the girls’ softball team, so that they finally have a place to call home.

Borough Manager Jeff Foley said they have been working closely with local politicians and the district to make improvements to the Lil Angels field as well as part of an overall focus on improving the Borough’s Parks & Recreation while helping the ECASD save money.

Mayor Anthony Court commended Council for their steadfast stance in working to find the girls’ softball team a suitable home.

“Council took initiative from the beginning,” he said. “I want to personally thank you.”

Drone Policy

Council also unanimously passed a drone policy submitted by Borough Solicitor Ryan Long.

Long said the borough-wide policy is comprehensive and follows all Federal Aviation Administration regulations and requirements. In addition, the policy also addresses how the drone should and shouldn’t be used; who administers the policy; indicates where drones should not be purchased from including companies from countries that are found on a government list; and other applicable regulations. Long said the policy indicates that the pilot is solely responsible to adhere to all requirements and regulations within the policy.

Court said the policy is greatly needed and thanked Long for his guidance and Council for taking action to pass the policy.

The Dollar Fee

Local resident Dawn Santagata spoke to Council regarding the $1.00 fee added to resident’s bills for waste collection.

She said she feels like the reasoning for the $1.00 fee has not been clear from the beginning and she said it has changed numerous times. According to Santagata, the need for the fee has gone from covering postage costs, administrative fees, to be used to offset Fall Cleanup and could be used for a Spring Cleanup, recycling incentives, to assist in cash flow in the winter when some people do not pay bills, to provide additional refuse and recycling carts at the parks and possibly provide curbside pickup by Aiken.

Santagata said the logical solution instead of adding a fee for all residents would be to charge fees to residents who would use the service.

“I don’t want to pay for my neighbor’s Fall cleanup or their curb-side pick-up or for trash cans in the park or cash flow problems the city has in the winter or even for the elusive postage,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it is only $12.00 annually, it is the principle that bothers me.”

She said this fee slips outside the budgeting process and is a slap in the face to residents.

“Not only did you implement this fee, but you made sure the resolution would allow you to change the fee at any time by resolution,” Santagata said. “How scary is this whole $1.00 mess for the residents of Ellwood City? How scary is it that only two members of Council stood for the residents and taxpayers of Ellwood City.”

Mayor’s Report

Court said it is particularly important now more than ever with students returning to school that drivers curb speeding. He said it’s still an issue borough wide.

He reported that he recently led a four-member Borough Mayors Roundtable in Harrisbug hosted by The Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association.

This collaborative forum brought together selected borough leaders to discuss issues affecting their communities, share ideas, and coordinate efforts on matters of mutual concern.

Court has served as Chairman for the past two years, providing leadership and guidance on issues impacting borough governments throughout Pennsylvania.

The program will air on PCN on the following dates and times:

• August 9 at 9:00 a.m.
• August 16 at 5:00 p.m.
• August 23 at 9:00 a.m.
• August 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Manager’s Report

Foley said he is working on improving the utility billing process including collections with door hangers and an Outbound Calling System.

He said that cameras were installed at wastewater treatment facilities to tighten security. He said that graffiti has been found on Borough property.

Foley said he is working on a 10-year plan to improve the sewer/storm water systems and indicated that residents might see engineers from Michael Baker in Borough neighborhoods.

He said he is acting to commence the Comprehensive Plan Q4 2026. He said the last plan is dated 2007 and is a priority.

“We need a plan,” he said.

To reduce costs, he is requiring all purchases of $200 or more to have at least two competitive bids.

He said he is working with Aiken to coordinate a Fall curbside pickup. He said he hopes to launch the pickup in October, and said residents will not have to pay to participate.

Foley said he also plans to work to improve the Playground and Swimming Pool Programs in 2027.

Following the meeting, Councilman Cragle spoke about the plan for a Fall “clean up,” and said there actually is a cost to residents because of the $1.00 monthly fee.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 7/20/26 as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 8/14/26, in the amount of $465,863.30, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 8/14/26, in the amount of $278,678.35.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing participation in the proposed Lawrence County Enterprise Zone designation application being filed by the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
• A motion to accept the resignations of John Sockaci and Richard Schultz from serving on the International Property Maintenance Appeals Board and the Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board.
• A motion to appoint Carmen Mazzant to the International Property Maintenance Appeals Board and the Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board.
• A motion to accept the offer from Everest Infrastructure Partners, Inc., as submitted, amending the easement agreement currently in place to reflect a lump sum payment to the Borough in the amount of $654,900 in exchange for Everest Infrastructure Partners to incorporate the assignment of the current ground rent and future revenue share to Everest, as well as amend the term of the easement to a Fifty (50) year term from the day of closing of the amendment. This revenue shall be deposited into the Park Improvement Fund. (Councilman Caleb Cragle voted “No.”)
• A motion to approve the request by Holy Redeemer Church to close Cherry Way from Lawrence Avenue to Park Avenue on September 8 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to celebrate the birthday of Our Blessed Mother.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Fall Fest/Car Cruise on September 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is further requested to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th to 11th Street beginning at 8 a.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 “Fall Fest/Car Cruise” event. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to reject the one (1) bid received (Romesburg Trucking) (Berlin, PA) ($277,800) for the wastewater treatment plant basin cleaning project and readvertise the project.
• A motion to approve the request by Rayner Shine Entertainment DJ Services to host a free, family-friendly community karaoke event at the Community Plaza on August 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. It is further authorized to approve 1-3 community vendors who expressed an interest to participate in this event. (Passed on contingency that organizer would show proof of insurance and name Borough as secondary).
• A motion to approve the “Acknowledgement of Benefits” for Richard Myers, Fire Chief, as submitted.
• A motion to approve the “Acknowledgement of Benefits” for Daniel Yoder, Paramedic Captain, as submitted.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Peri McKim-Malcolm, Crossing Guard, effective 7/20/26.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Victoria (Kincaid) Malcolm, Crossing Guard, effective 7/20/26.
• A motion to advertise for the position of School Crossing Guard.
• A motion to approve the travel request of Mayor Anthony Court to attend the PSAB fall conference in Erie, PA, October 9-11. The total cost will be $538 plus meals and mileage. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.

Motions Failed:

• A motion to approve the 2026 Terms of Engagement outlining pension administration services provided by USI Consulting Group and data entry into a pension portal for use by the Borough and its participants. The cost of this service will be $5,000 per pension plan (Fire, Police, Municipal) plus a one-time installation fee of $5,000 per pension plan (Fire, Police, Municipal). These costs will be paid from the General Fund. Final benefit calculations will be billed, as needed, and not included in the above pricing. (All members of Council voted “No.”)

Announcements:

Council President Brad Ovial encouraged residents to attend upcoming local events including Wednesday August 19th’s Wander Ellwood event, which was rescheduled to this week because of weather. Wander Ellwood will be from 5 to 9 p.m.! He also took a second to promote the Ellwood City Farmer’s Market, which is held each Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon through November 7 in the parking lot behind the Community Plaza.