Recent Stories

Ellwood City Borough Council

December 17, 2019

Council Passes 2020 Budget: Will Not Include First Responder Command Vehicle

In a three to four vote, Ellwood City Borough Council passed the $15.47 million 2020 budget. Before casting the votes, Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera urged council to consider adding in the purchase of a new first responder command vehicle. Fellow council representatives Rob Brough and Judith Dici agreed with Guerrera, which led to their vote of “No” on the 2020 budget. Guerrera said with the recent closing of the Ellwood City Medical Center, the time to upgrade is now. “This is our only line of defense to keep someone alive,” she said. “We are on our own here.” According to Guerrera,…

November 20, 2019

Council Approves Free Holiday Parking

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to allow residents and visitors to park free in the downtown area for the holidays. Free parking will be authorized at all metered spaces on Lawrence Avenue, Bell Avenue, Crescent Avenue, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, and the Beaver Avenue parking lot from November 29-December 31, 2019. A maximum of two hours of parking will be permitted. Anyone exceeding the two hour time limit will be subject to a $5 fine if paid within 72 hours. Violators failing to make payment within 72 hours will be subject to prosecution through the District…

November 20, 2019

Borough to Replace Utility Poles

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the purchase of 64 new utility poles to be installed in the borough. The poles, part of a project to replace 280 deteriorated poles, will cost $403 each for a total of $25,792. Because it takes time to coordinate with the telephone company, Borough Manager David Allen estimated the 64 poles could take a year or two to be fully implemented. Only 64 poles are set to be purchased out of the 280 needed because that is all that the borough can store at one time. Borough employees will work to replace the…

November 6, 2019

General Election 2019 Results

All the votes are cast and tallied in the 2019 General Election. Ellwood City had two pivotal races on the ballot, Ellwood City Council and Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors. Joining incumbants George Celli and Judith Dici on Ellwood City Council will be newcomer Caleb Crable.     Ellwood City School Board will welcome two newcomers: Jean Biehls and Gary Rozanski. Biehls and Rozanski will be joined by incumbants Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, and Leroy Cortez.     For a list of all unofficial results from the Lawrence County general election, click here.

October 25, 2019

Part Two: Ellwood City Council Candidate Q&A

This is the second in a two-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Today’s Q&A features Marilyn Mancini, Raymond Venezie, and Jude Dici. Yesterday’s Q&A featured George Celli, Brandon Fisher, and Caleb Cragle. Click here to read yesterday’s Q&A. Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes for numerous offices including Ellwood City Borough Council on November 5. To find your polling location, click here. To learn more about the voting process and how to cast your vote, click here. Take a moment to get to know the…

October 24, 2019

Part One: Ellwood City Council Candidate Q&A

This is the first in a two-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Today’s Q&A features George Celli, Brandon Fisher, and Caleb Cragle. Tomorrow’s Q&A will feature Marilyn Mancini, Raymond Venezie, and Jude Dici. Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes for numerous offices including Ellwood City Borough Council on November 5. To find your polling location, click here. To learn more about the voting process and how to cast your vote, click here. Take a moment to get to know the candidates running for Ellwood City…

October 23, 2019

Letter To The Editor: Dici A Must For Re-Election

When Ellwood City Manager Bob Villella was terminated in January 2018, the council began accepting applications for the position. Numerous applicants did not meet the advertised requirements, while others withdrew during the interview process. From the time of Villella’s dismissal until former borough manager Joe Cioffi came back on an interim basis in August 2018, council President Judith Dici performed the duties without pay. During this time, Dici garnered $500,000, administered by HOMES, for the rehabilitation of homes of low- and moderate-income property owners and met with DCED representatives to better evaluate needs of municipal offices. Dici has become involved…

October 22, 2019

Ellwood City to Keep Parking Meters … for Now

Council voted to table a motion to eliminate parking meters on Lawrence and Bell avenues and Fifth Street. Council was divided on the issue during the October 21 meeting with George Celli, Michelle Lamenza, and James Barry voting to table and Rob Brough, Lisa Guerrera, and Judith Dici voting to move forward with the motion. Councilwoman Marilyn Mancini was not in attendance, leaving Mayor Anthony Court to tie-break the vote. Council President Judith Dici, brought up the idea at an agenda-setting meeting October 15. She said Ellwood City is not making enough revenue from parking to keep them, and she…

October 17, 2019

Council to Discuss Parking Meters, Amendment to Hospital Zoning Ordinance

The Ellwood City Council is set to vote on two proposals during it’s October 21 voting meeting. One is the amendment to the Ellwood City Medical Center zoning ordinance to add facilities and residences included in a continuum of care entity to the definition of health services. There will be a public hearing at 5:45 regarding this amendment. Also on the agenda will be a consideration to remove parking meters in the borough. Council President Judith Dici said the meters are outdated and “not that great of a revenue.” She said Ellwood City brought in $18,762 from the meter fees…

October 17, 2019

Borough Announcements: Electric Department Expands Hours, Meeting Schedule, Scam Prevention

Ellwood City Borough Council made a few announcements during the Oct 15 agenda meeting: Electric Window to Open on Fridays Borough Manager David Allen said the electric department window now will be open on Fridays. This addition rounds out hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. He said the hours were added to give residents a better chance to pay bills. Council to Change Meeting Day in November The committee of the whole meeting for November will be held on November 12 at 6 p.m. due to the Veteran’s Day Holiday. Local Residents Report Possible Scam Numerous council members…