Articles by Tracey Ferguson

Ellwood City Borough Council to Advertise Bids for Waste Collection

Trash was the top topic at Ellwood City’s Borough Council meeting Monday night. Council voted to advertise bids for the collection of refuse, recycling, and yard waste. Borough Manager David Allen said this is just the bidding process and that a final decision as to the process and collection company will come later. Before voting to allow the bidding process, Councilwoman Lisa Guererra requested that officials take into consideration the concerns and needs of all community members including the ones who like the bags, who don’t like the bags, and those who pay to have their own dumpsters. She said…


Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight

Ellwood City Borough Council will meet virtually tonight at 6 p.m. How to join the meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96286869918?pwd=alVZejErMEZOTVdHU2U1UENSUUU2UT09 Meeting ID: 962 8686 9918 Passcode: 259097 One tap mobile +13017158592,,96286869918#,,,,*259097# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,96286869918#,,,,*259097# US (Chicago) On the agenda: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 1/ 12/21, in the amount of$357,565.89, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 1/13/21 , in the amount of $163,599.10. A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, re-establishing electric reconnection charges. A motion to adopt the 2021 IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate of 56 cents per mile. A motion…


Eric Ryan Corporation Offering Complimentary Audit of Consumer Utility Bills

Eric Ryan Corporation is offering to the Ellwood City community a complimentary audit of your home gas/electric bills. Keith Venezie, CEO of the Eric Ryan Corporation, a local utility and phone bill auditing company, noticed his home gas bill was higher than normal. When he reviewed the bill, he discovered that he was being charged three times what he should have been billed. It prompted him to realize that this could very well be happening to others in the community—especially to those not familiar with energy purchasing. “As a company that specializes in the telecommunications and utility industries, I felt…


ECASD to Transition to Hybrid Learning Model on January 25

Ellwood City Area School District will return to a hybrid model of learning starting January 25. The district’s board of directors voted unanimously Thursday evening to implement a hybrid model where students will attend school in person two days a week and will attend school virtually three. Directors Norman Boots and Jennifer Tomon were absent from the meeting. Until January 25, students will continue full-time virtual learning. The meeting opened with a statement from Board President Jean Biehls who welcomed Wesley Shipley as the district’s superintendent. She said Shipley will have a starting salary of $150,000 and will lead the…


Borough Manager: Website, Trash Collection Plan Early Priorities in 2021

During Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, two projects were highlighted as priorities in the new year. Borough Manager David Allen said the projects of focus in the next two months include modernization of the borough’s website and trash. “We are working to modernize website and improve its functionality,” he said. A plan for the website will include more forms and document availability, more community announcements, and ways to make payments due to the borough. “We want to enhance user experience on our website,” he said. As far as trash goes, Allen said he has had several meetings with other…


Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Tonight: Agenda

Ellwood City Council will meet tonight at 6 p.m. via Zoom (dial in: 1 (301) 715-8592, :meeting ID 99653235342 #, Passcode 070664). Motions on the agenda include: A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $493,154.63, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/15/20, in the amount of $495,003.93. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, establishing the real property tax rate at 8.75 mills for the year 2021. A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, approving the editing and inclusion…


ECASD Board of Directors Officially Hires Superintendent

During a “Special Board Meeting” conducted at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Interim Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley. The special meeting was announced on Monday. His five-year contract adds up to more than $1 million. Directors Jennifer Tomon and Erica Gray were the lone “No” votes. Tomon said her vote was because of budgetary reasons. “This compensation package, that averages over $212,000 year, sets a dangerous precedent,” Tomon said. “This board is saddling the public with this expense. The same people who were left unemployed when the Medical…


Christ Presbyterian Hosting Third Thursday Community Meal

Christ Presbyterian Church will be hosting its Third Thursday Community Meal tonight at 4 p.m. and will serve the community until the food runs out. The church welcomes anyone who feels like they need a home-cooked meal. There is no requirement or proof of need. The church has been hosting this monthly meal since the first one in September. According to Michelle Sutton, deacon at the church, the community gathering has been a success serving on average 120 people per month. She said although the meals have to be distributed as take out only in the church’s parking lot, because…


Santa Claus Is Coming To Ellport

Do you still need to give Santa your wishlist? Are you worried that you won’t get to see Santa this Christmas season? There’s no need to shout, cry, or pout because Santa Claus is coming to Ellport. Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory is hosting a drive-through visit with Santa at its 97 Grim Avenue facility. “We knew our portico would make a great outdoor spot for a Santa visit, and The Big Guy agreed,” said Jennifer Tomon. “We are so excited he’s making a stop in Ellport this year. Santa is looking forward to seeing everyone.” Rain…


ECASD Board Names New President, Changes to 2021 Meeting Schedule

Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors held their reorganization meeting Thursday evening where Director Jean Biehls was named president and Director Gary Rozanski was named vice president. Biehls and Rozanski were the only directors nominated for their positions and both nominations were opposed by Director Jennifer Tomon. Director Erica Gray was not in attendance. Biehls said she will make committee appointments in the next couple weeks. The board also established a plan for the meeting schedule for 2021 and announced that meetings will be held on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays of the month. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic,…