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January 16, 2018

Ellwood City Council Raises Firefighter Pay

Yesterday the Ellwood City Borough Council voted to raise the part-time firefighter hourly wage from 11.40/hr to 15.00/hr, “a far more competitive salary,” according to Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera. While council voted in favor of raising the firefighter wage, the majority voted against raising the other non-union employee wages. Guerrera released the official statement: “Several raises for 2018 for the Non-Union employees were in an original motion to be voted on. After much discussion, it was decided in a 6-1 vote, to keep all non-Union employees wages at the rate they were being paid in 2017, with the exception of the…

January 3, 2018

Bernstine Bill Would Stop Life Insurance Payouts to Terrorists

HARRISBURG – A recent terror attack on police at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex prompted state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today to unveil new legislation, which would limit life insurance payouts of individuals who die committing acts of terrorism. The proposal also calls for a portion of the terrorist’s life insurance benefits to be redirected to victims. “I don’t believe you deserve to keep your life insurance benefits if you intentionally steal the lives of innocent Americans,” Bernstine said. “We shouldn’t allow terrorism to be rewarded.” House Bill 1996 would allow insurance companies to limit payouts to beneficiaries named on…

January 3, 2018

Council to Hire New Borough Manager

Yesterday, Ellwood City Borough Council voted 5-2 not to renew [previous] Borough Manager Robert Villella’s contract for another two years – effectively ending his term yesterday. Starting today, a collaborated effort between the new Council President Judith Dici, council, and the other Borough employees, will be used in place of the Borough Manager to perform day-to-day duties while council searches for an individual replacement. Council did not release an official statement on the reason for letting Villella go, however, new council members Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera released their own statement: According to Borough Secretary, Linda List, there is no…

December 21, 2017

Progress Coming to Ellwood City: Redevelopment of Lawrence Avenue Properties

The area of 509-515 Lawrence Avenue has been awarded to Lutz & Myers for redevelopment. State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted a live video feed of himself accompanied by Ron Lutz and Ellwood City Revitalization member Brad Ovial explaining the details of the sale and plans for the 10,000+ square foot development. The redevelopment has been part of the ongoing Ellwood City Revitalization projects to better the community and attract more business and consumers. Check out the video below for more information:

December 19, 2017

December 2017 Regular Meeting Recap: 2018 Budget Approved

Yesterday was the December regular meeting for Ellwood City Borough Council, and also the last meeting for Council President Connie MacDonald, Vice President David DeCaria, and Councilman Brad Ovial. The newly elected council members will be taking their places starting next month. Visitors Paul Dici praised the work of the street department for their quick and thorough work during the snow storm last week. On the flip side, he scolded the residents of Ellwood City who parked on the side of the streets, making the snow clearing messy and less effective, when they could have been parking in their driveway….

December 12, 2017

December Council Meeting Recap

Next Monday Ellwood City Council will be voting on some important topics including the 2018 budget and tax rate. Here are the official Suggested Items for Discussion at yesterday’s Council Committee Meeting:   FINANCE (Mancini, DeCaria, Ovial) Resolution – adopt 2018 Budget Ordinance – adopt 2018 Tax Rate, 8.75 mills Authorize the Tax Collector to add the assessment of the EC Medical Center $9,395,000 to the 2017           tax duplicate Payment – Rehrig Pacific Co. $6743.52 for Recycling Bins; pd from Recycling fund   HEALTH/PUBLIC SAFETY (Dici, Celli, Lamenza) Address Changes – submitted by Lawrence Co. Resolution – prohibiting the…

December 12, 2017

House Approves Bernstine Bill to Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives Monday unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which would make it easier for seniors to maintain their independence and receive care in their homes. “A disparity in Pennsylvania law is limiting access to in-home care and actually forcing some seniors into nursing homes when home care would have been more appropriate, preferred and less expensive,” Bernstine said. Currently, when an individual applies for Medicaid, he or she can be “presumed eligible” for nursing home services and receive those services immediately while their Medicaid application is being fully reviewed. However, if the…

December 11, 2017

Slippery Rock University Receives Grant to Train Veterans to be Teachers, Bernstine Says

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced that Slippery Rock University, along with West Chester University in southeastern part of the state, will receive more than $272,000 in funding under the federal Troops to Teachers grant program. “I believe the extensive training, vast experience and patriotism of our nation’s veterans make them excellent candidates to lead our classrooms,” Bernstine said. “Programs like Troops to Teachers help us give back in a small way to our veterans while putting some of our most upstanding citizens before our future generations.” The Troops to Teachers grant program, managed by the Defense Activity for Nontraditional…

November 21, 2017

November Regular Meeting Recap

Yesterday night was Ellwood City’s November 2017 council meeting. All of the following items on the agenda sheet were approved: Approval of Minutes: A motion in order to approve the Special Meeting 10/10/17 and and Regular Meeting 10/16/17. Approval of Vouchers: A motion to approve the pre-paid voucher list dated 11/13/17 in the amount of $1,217,194.59 and the open invoiced (list of vouchers to be paid) dated 11/16/17 in the amount of $793,848.67 Departmental Reports: A motion to approve the departmental reports as submitted. Bid Openings NONE Ordinances A motion would be in order to adopt an ordinance, as submitted,…

November 20, 2017

Bernstine Announces Safe Schools Grants for Laurel School District, Lawrence County Vo-Tech

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced nearly $150,000 in Safe Schools Grants have been awarded to Laurel School District and Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. “Our students deserve to learn in an environment free from violence and crime,” Bernstine said. “The investments we make in academic programs mean nothing if our kids and teachers aren’t safe. These grants will help protect students and ensure taxpayer dollars used to support our schools can be prioritized in the classroom.” Laurel School District received a $20,000 Safe Schools Equipment Grant and a $57,390 School Police/Resource Officer Grant. Lawrence County Career and Technical…