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June 24, 2016

New Zoning Ordinance Will Divide Downtown Ellwood into Four Districts

Ellwood City zoning laws haven’t seen an update in many years. Folk singer Bob Dylan was penning his first songs when Ellwood borough councils were penning many of the zoning laws. There was even a sentence that referred to a car wash an an automobile laundry. Council is now in the final stages of approving a new zoning ordinance. Primarily, the downtown business area will be divided into four districts each with specialized encouraged use. Residential areas will not be affected nor will current businesses and residents in the business districts. Rather, each of the new districts will encourage the…

June 22, 2016

Question Concerning Vouchers Leads to Argument Among Council Members [Updated 10:15]

A question regarding a bill on the list of pre-paid vouchers led to an argument at Monday’s council meeting. Before voting on the list of pre-paid vouchers, council member Judi Dici asked if two telephone bills, both labeled to the same police officer and in the amount of $17.85, were accidental duplicates. Borough Manager Bob Villella responded that he would look into the matter. Later, council member Marilyn Mancini requested that a motion to adopt the Civil Service Rules and Regulations be tabled as she had received her copy on Friday. All members voted “yes” to postpone except George Celli….

June 21, 2016

Ellwood City Borough Council June Meeting Brief [Updated at noon]

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council June meeting held on June 20. Announcements Parking on Lawrence Avenue will be closed from Fourth to Eighth Street beginning at 2 p.m. for hosing.* Borough Manager Bob Villella reminded residents to not sweep grass clippings into the storm catchings, as that clogs the system. There will be a public hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance on June 27 at 5 p.m. “The zoning won’t be perfect, but we’re taking calculated, proven steps in developing our downtown,” council member David DeCaria said. The borough clean-up day will be…

June 20, 2016

Gibbons Announces Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extension

ELLWOOD CITY, June 17 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, today said the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2015 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31. Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older qualify for the benefits under the program. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income and any COLAs are excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates can boost the…

June 20, 2016

Governor Wolf Signs Battery B Memorial Highway Bill into Law

Governor Wolf today (June 17) signed into law Senate Bill 1153, a bill introduced by Senator Elder Vogel designating the section of State Routes 108 and 551 in Lawrence County from the intersection of State Route 108 and Old Hickory Road at the Battery B Monument to State Route 551 ending at the railroad tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Enon Valley as the “Battery B Memorial Highway.” “I am pleased that the Governor signed into law this measure that honors the local residents who helped play an important role during the American Civil War,” Senator Vogel said. I want…

June 16, 2016

Council to Rescind Police Body Armor Policy

Council will rescind the Body Armor Policy at its regular meeting on Monday. This decision comes seven months after the previous council unanimously re-affirmed the body armor policy. When Donald Clyde was mayor (2006-2009), he initiated a policy allowing officers to sign a release form allowing them to not wear armor and contradicting council’s body armor policy. According to Borough Solicitor Ed Leymarie, the police union filed a grievance against the body armor policy, and the court upheld Clyde’s policy. Thus, council will be rescinding the motion. In response to a question from visitor Dave McQuade, Leymarie said the court…

June 16, 2016

Gibbons: House Passes Daniel’s Law Bill

HARRISBURG, June 15  –  The House of Representatives today unanimously passed a bill introduced by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, that is designed to increase penalties for distracted driving accidents. Gibbons legislation, commonly referred to as Daniel’s Law (H.B. 853), was introduced in honor of Daniel Gallatin of Lawrence County who was killed May 7, 2013 while riding his motorcycle when a driver who was texting while driving struck him from behind. “I thank my colleagues for unanimously passing this legislation and who agreed that changes need to be made to increase the penalty for laws governing cell phone use…

June 16, 2016

Vogel’s Cost-saving Legislation for Schools Sent to Governor

Legislation introduced by Senator Elder Vogel that will allow school districts to save thousands of dollars in annual mailing costs received final legislative approval Tuesday (June 14) and is headed to the Governor for his signature. Senate Bill 1077, which was approved by a 193-2 vote in the House of Representatives, eliminates the mandate that school districts annually inform parents by physical mailing when the district uses audio and video recording to identify and address discipline issues on school buses. The mailer mandate was included as part of Act 9 of 2014, which gave school districts the ability to use…

June 14, 2016

Ellwood City School Board June Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Area School Board meeting held on June 13: Moment of Silence At the request of Board Member Anthony Buzzelli, the school board held an additional moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Orlando shooting on June 13. Announcements Remedial summer school will be held from June 20 to July 29. There will be no school on July 4. There will be a board meeting on June 27 to approve the budget. Awards/Recognition The board and administration congratulated the softball team and coach Gary Rozanski for winning the…

June 14, 2016

Gibbons Invites Public to Town Hall Meeting 6 p.m. Thursday

NEW BRIGHTON, June 13 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, will host a sixth town hall meeting to update residents on local community events and important state government-related issues. The town hall will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, June 16 in  Pulaski Township Building, 3401 Sunflower Road, New Brighton. “I am holding town hall meetings in various locations of my district in order to give everyone a chance to participate in the discussion,” Gibbons said. Gibbons will discuss state and local-related issues affecting residents in his legislative district. The topics include Property Tax/Rent Rebate extension, the proposed increase in PACENET…