Borough Council Approves Proposed Referendum for 1 Mill Tax Increase on November Ballot

Ellwood City Borough Council plans to request that the Lawrence County Election Board place a referendum on the November 2022 ballot asking the electors of Ellwood City to approve a one (1) mill tax for ambulance, rescue, and other emergency services to provide advanced life support.

Council voted 6-1 in favor of the plan. Councilman James Barry voted no and Councilwoman Judith Dici was absent from the meeting.

Barry said he doesn’t believe this is a good time to add financial burden of any kind to the residents of Ellwood City with the rise in gas prices and other goods. He also believes it opens the borough to lawsuits.

“I don’t think we need to get into the healthcare business,” Barry said.

Councilman Brad Ovial, said he disagrees and that advanced life support will be a great benefit to the residents of Ellwood City. He said with the closing of the hospital and the time it takes for life saving services to be provided in Ellwood City, advanced life support would offer more help in emergency situations and that the voters should have that option.

“I respect the populous to vote on this,” he said.

Borough Manager David Allen gave an update regarding the former Ellwood City Medical Center. According to Allen, the borough has been made aware that the hospital is moving through the bankruptcy process. He said he is unsure if a resolution will be reached in the short-term or long-term.

“I expect some sort of adjudication this year,” he said.

Mayor Anthony Court said new K-9 officer, Nico, completed his first drug raid, that the police are continuing training with the leadership of Police Chief Michael McBride, and that the police force plans to work with the school district on security measures.

“There is a lot of training going on with the police,” Court said.

Allen added he is pleased and thankful to the officers for continually training and moving forward.

“We are lucky in this town to have what we have when it comes to the police officers,” he said.

Motions approved:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held 5/9/22 and the Regular Meeting held 5/16/22.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 6/16/22, in the amount of $652,380.76, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 6/16/22, in the amount of $585,959.03.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to appoint James Johnson to the civil service commission.
• A motion to approve the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit Mutual Aid Agreement, providing tactical support to municipalities and police in emergency situations.
• A motion to approve the Beaver County Anti-Drug Task Force Mutual Aid Agreement, coordinating illegal drug policing investigations and prosecution activities.
• A motion to advertise an ordinance repealing Ordinance #2420, specifically No Parking, Clover Avenue, north side, between Gregg Street & Cedar Street from November 1 – April 1 and make this area No Parking effective “at all times.”
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Fall Fest/Car Cruise on September 24. It is further requested to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th to 10th Street from 8a – 5p (actual event is 10a – 5p).
• A motion to advertise for bids for the replacement of a concrete section of Beaver Avenue from 4th to 5th Street.
• A motion to approve the payment in the amount of $12,124.58 to T&R Electric. This amount will be paid from the Electric Fund. ($10,136 of this invoice will be reimbursed by Sheetz for a 3-Phase transformer).
• A motion to approve the quote from Zambelli Fireworks in the amount of $7500 for the display of fireworks during the Arts, Crafts, & Food Festival in July. This amount will be paid from the L&N Fund. ($5,000 of this amount will be reimbursed by the Arts, Crafts, & Food Festival Committee).
• A motion to hire Matthew Morabito as a full-time Patrolman at the rate of $24.06/hour (66% of $36.46 (full rate)), contingent upon the successful completion of any remaining background checks.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Steven Kimmel as part-time Animal Control Officer, effective 6/13/22.
• A motion to advertise for the position of Animal Control Officer.
• A motion to exonerate back taxes ($1230.72) and fees ($300) in for 1127 Center Avenue.
• A motion to award the bid on the sale of the vacant lot at 1127 Center Avenue (11-003000) to Phylis Thompson, 1127 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, for $1200.