The following are the presentations giving by Borough Manager Bob Villella and AMP representative Pam Sullivan at the town hall meeting on Monday regarding the electric department. The borough’s is available as a PDF and AMP’s is a power point. Borough Presentation AMP Presentation
Earlier this year, the Eric Ryan Corporation, a nationally-known utility auditing company, obtained information from the Borough’s electric department using Pennsylvania’s Right to Know act. At a special town hall meeting on Monday, Borough Manager Bob Villella read an email he received from Keith Venezie, ERC’s CEO. “Based on the information we were provided, we were able to validate that the borough is being billed correctly by the suppliers based on the contracts that were negotiated and executed, the borough is billing the customers (who’s bills we reviewed) correctly based on the current ordinance, and the PPA that is part…
To assist veterans and their families, state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, today announced he will host veterans’ specialists in his Ellwood City office. Gibbons said Stephanie Bengoa and Ryan Paglia will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at his Ellwood City office, located at 438 Line Ave., to lend help to veterans and their families. Bengoa of the American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be in Gibbons’ office to assist veterans with understanding what benefits they have earned, filing appeals to existing claims, enrolling in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and any…
State Representative Jaret Gibbons is pleased to announce the opening of his re-election campaign headquarters in Ellwood City. The campaign office is located at 317 Seventh Street and the telephone number is 724-824-1138. Gibbons will hold an Open House to officially open the campaign office this Thursday, Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Anyone interested in talking with Rep. Gibbons or learning more about his campaign is encouraged to stop by the campaign office. “With critical issues facing our community, I want to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to have any…
A town hall on the Ellwood Borough Electric Department will be held on Monday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. in the borough auditorium. An official from American Municipal Power (AMP) will be present. The electric department has been subject of citizen criticism after bills dramatically increased in July, bringing to the forefront concerns over customer service, billing and the necessity of the department itself. Over 50 visitors attended council’s agenda meeting on July 11 and over 100 at the regular meeting on July 18. A Facebook group titled “Standing Up to Ellwood Electric” has over 1,100 members. Previous articles on…
A major water project to eliminate a costly burden on Midland Borough water customers will receive $7,556,690 in state funding, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47). The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Midland was awarded a $4,050,800 grant and a $3,549,200 low-interest loan to construct its own raw water intake system to eliminate the need to purchase it from Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI). “I was pleased to work with my colleague Representative Jim Marshall in support of this financing. The current situation is unmanageable.” “That makes this PENNVEST financing essential for Midland,” Senator Vogel continued. “The Municipal Authority and…
“Many of you are here because you want to have freedom of choice,” borough solicitor Ed Leymarie told a crowd of over 100 visitors at Monday’s council meeting. “But the Pennsylvania government took away that choice.” Leymarie was referring to a state law allowing municipalities with government electric departments to require residents to purchase power from them. Monday’s crowd stemmed from a Facebook group, “Standing Up to Ellwood Electric,” with over 1,000 members. At the agenda meeting on July 11, over 50 residents showed up to protest electric rates and customer service policies at the Ellwood Electric Department. This in…
Following a length visitor portion concerning the Ellwood Electric Department, the Ellwood City Borough Council proceeded with Monday’s agenda. On that agenda was an amendment to the zoning ordinance dividing the business district into four sections. Council passed the new zoning in a 6-1 vote. At a public hearing on June 27, several business owners and realtors opposed the zoning ordinance. The passed ordinance was created by council over a several year period in conjunction with Town Center Associates, a downtown consulting agency. The vote was not without discussion. Council member Judi Dici, who took office in January, was not…
The following is a brief summary of the July council meeting brief: Visitors Over 100 visitors attended the meeting seeking a dialogue with borough officials regarding the electric bill. Visitor Rob Brough requested a town hall meeting so the borough can fully explain the Ellwood Electric Department as well as take steps toward solutions regarding customer service and high electric bills. Council President Connie MacDonald set a date of Monday, Aug. 1. This was a continuation of last Monday’s meeting where over 50 residents attended. Awards/Recognitions Council commended the Ellwood City girls softball team for winning their Class AA section,…