EC Borough Council Passes Budget; Recognizes Young Hero

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to adopt an ordinance to establish the real property tax rate at 11.75 mills for the year 2026 and also voted to pass a resolution adopting a 2026 budget.

Councilman James Barry and Councilman James Johnson both voted “No” to the real property tax rate and the resolution to adopt the 2026 budget. Councilman George Celli voted “No” to adopt a 2026 budget.

Council had to pass both motions in time for the end of year deadline, however, both votes will likely be revisited once the budget is reopened in 2026 when newly elected Councilman Joseph Mancini takes his seat on Council.

Council also voted to amend the sewer ordinance designating rates and effective dates, specifically effective February 1, 2026, for usage beginning January 1, 2026, $9.21 per 1,000 gal of water and $9.21 per customer per month.

Borough Sidewalks

Residents in attendenace during the meeting spoke about the state of sidewalks across the borough.

Louis Sabaro, who jogs nearly four miles a day said he looked up during his run one day and faceplanted on Crescent Ave. on an uneven sidewalk.

“The sidewalks are in disrepair,” he said.

Joe Mancini spoke on behalf of his neighbor Jill Fellino. Mancini said that Fellino reported to him that she took a spill in Ewing Park causing injury, surgery, and loss of work.

Irvin Strohecker said he also notices numerous sidewalks that are in need of repair during his walks.

Council President Brad Ovial said Council plans to explore the ordinance regarding sidewalks.

Mayor Anthony Court said this issue will be addressed in a timely manner.

“I am hoping we can change this as soon as possible to put the responsibility for the sidewalks back into the homeowners hands,” he said.

Young Hero Receives Proclamation

Mayor Court proclaimed December 15 as Lucia Rose Taylor day. The 7-year-old recently sought help quickly during an emergency when she realized that Councilman James Johnson was in distress.

“This was an amazing, swift action by a 7-year-old,” Court said.

Borough Cybersecurity

Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said that the borough continues to address cybersecurity with updates and training.

Councilwoman Jan Williams, member of the technology committee, said additional cybersecurity has been added and that part of that are email campaigns meant to test and educate borough employees.

Motions Passed:

A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 11/17/25.
A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 12/11/25, in the amount of $1,092,101.40, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/11/25, in the amount of $292,009.53.
A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, fixing the rate of compensation for the Mayor and Members of Council as follows: Mayor (effective 1/1/26) increase to $5400 annually and Council (effective 1/1/26) increase to $3600 for every new term of Council, but not an incumbent, and any newly elected council member elected after 1/1/26. (Councilwoman Jan Williams voted “No”)
A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, to establishing a stabilized Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA) beginning with the February 1, 2026, billing through the July 1, 2026, billing as .01744/kwh sold. (Councilwoman Williams voted “No”)
A motion to make the following appointments:
- ELLWOOD CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, Four Year Term, 2 vacancies, 2 applicants
  - Sherri Greco, 610 Madison Ave
  - Brad Ovial, 866 Constitution Ave
- CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Six Year Term, 1 vacancy, 1 applicant
  - Brad Ovial, 866 Constitution Ave
- BOARD OF HEALTH, Five Year Term, 2 vacancies, 2 applicants
  - Krista Newman, 853 Thalmann Lane, 412-295-7595
  - Peter Leck II, 411 Byng St, 412-735-2508
- ZONING HEARING BOARD, Three Year Term, 1 vacancy
  - A motion to appoint David Parker, 323 Franklin Ave to the Zoning Hearing Board. (Renee Pitrelli, 603 Woodside Avenue, was also an applicant. Council voted Unamously to appoint Parker)
- ELLWOOD CITY LIBRARY BOARD-Three Year Term, 2 vacancies
  - A motion to appoint Michelle Hand, 215 Foch Street, and Nora Di Buono, 413 Line Avenue, to the Library Board. (Peter Leck II, 411 Byng St, and Becky Guisler, 700 Clover Avenue, were also appicants. Councilman George Celli supported Guisler)
A motion to approve the Local #964 Clerical Contract for the period 1/1/26 to 12/31/29.
A motion to approve the Local #964 Laborers’ Contract for the period 1/1/26 to 12/31/29.
A motion to approve the Workers Compensation Insurance with the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) for the volunteer firefighters for the period 1/1/26 – 1/1/27. The estimated annual premium is $15,584 (final premium is subject to adjustment by audit). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
A motion to terminate the employment of Ralph Chiappetta, Code Enforcement Officer, effective I 2/l 6/25, his last day of employment.
A motion to establish the position of Emergency Management Coordinator as a stand-alone position (separate from the Fire Chief).
A motion to establish salaries/wages for the following part-time employees effective with the first pay in January 2026 as follows:
A motion to establish wages for the following Non-Union full-time employees effective with the first pay in January 2026 as follows: