Recent Stories

Ellwood City Borough Council

September 19, 2019

Ellwood City Seeking Applicants For A New Tax Collector

The Borough of Ellwood City and Borough Council is advertising for the position of Tax Collector after current tax Mary Ann Portugallo announced her resignation. Any Borough resident interested in filling the position is asked to submit a letter of interest to the Borough Secretary, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City. All letters must be due/postmarked on or before 4:00 pm on September 30, 2019. Borough of Ellwood City 724-758-7777 www.ellwoodcityborough.com  

September 11, 2019

Council Urges Residents to Report Issues

Borough council urges all residents to report any safety concerns or unsightly conditions that require borough attention to the borough code enforcement officer or building officials. During Monday’s Borough Council meeting, President Judith Dici said she has noticed many residents airing complaints on social media, a venue that isn’t always monitored by council members or borough officials. She said the only sure way to have complaints addressed is to report them directly to the borough. “If we don’t know, we can’t do anything about it,” she said. Residents can report conditions that require the attention of the Borough Code Enforcement…

September 11, 2019

Council to Meet Tuesday

Borough council has moved its September monthly voting meeting to 6 p.m. Tuesday. On the agenda is a vote regarding the NextEra Energy contract extension and a vote to set a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the hospital zoning ordinance. It was announced that the October committee of the whole meeting will also be rescheduled for October 15 at 6 p.m. because of the Columbus Day holiday.

August 22, 2019

Ellwood to Join Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)

In a 5-2 vote, Council decided that Ellwood City would join Lawrence County’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The two “no” votes came from Councilman George Celli and Councilman James Barry. This is the second time CIRT participation was up for a vote in council. On June 17 council had a 5-2 vote of no. At that time Councilwomen Marilyn Mancini and Michele Lamenza were the only members who voted to participate. This time around, council President, Judith Dici, and council members Lisa Guerrera and Rob Brough changed their votes. Guerrera had one question, “Does this cost anything?” Dici, who…

August 21, 2019

Council Votes to Amend Hospital Zoning Ordinance

In a unanimous vote, Ellwood City Council voted on August 19 to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in May. The proposed amendment will be sent to the borough and Lawrence County planning commissions for review. The amendment adds to the definition of “Health Services” “facilities and residences included in a continuum of care entity.” Borough Manager David Allen said the wording basically boiled down to nursing homes. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during an Aug 12 agenda meeting that the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a…

August 13, 2019

Council to Vote to Amend Hospital Zoning Ordinance

Ellwood City Council will vote August 19 to amend the hospital/medical district zoning ordinance that they originally passed in in a unanimous vote on May 20. They will vote to add to the definition of “Health Services” “facilities and residences included in a continuum of care entity.” Borough Manager David Allen said the wording basically boiled down to nursing homes. Solicitor Ed Leymarie said the move will resolve an appeal filed by Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a more than $5 million judgement against Americore Health LLC, Ellwood Medical Center LLC, and Ellwood Medical Center Real Estate…

May 22, 2019

Primary Election Results: Ellwood City Borough Council

Incumbants, new faces will be on ballot for Ellwood City Council in November’s general election. Current Council President Judith Dici, democrat, will be joined by fellow council members Marilyn Mancini, democrat, and George Celli, republican. Newcomers Caleb Cragle, democrat; and Raymond Venezie and Brandon Fisher both republicans will also be on the ballot. The following are from the unofficial results document posted on the Lawrence County website:    

May 21, 2019

Council Votes to Create Hospital/Medical District

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night 6-0 to create a hospital/medical district on the property where the Ellwood City Medical Center is located. Missing from the vote was councilman Rob Brough. There was no public input during Monday’s vote. The move is meant to protect the hospital and surrounding offices from being developed as anything but a medical facility. During a public hearing in April, Benjamin Steinberg an attorney representing Penn Med LLC, a lender who is seeking a more than $5 million judgement against Americore Health LLC, Ellwood Medical Center LLC, and Ellwood Medical Center Real Estate LLC,…

April 3, 2019

Governor Wolf Appoints Council President to Advisory Committee

Ellwood City Council President Judith Dici was recently appointed to Governor Wolf’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) provides municipalities, legislators and the business community an opportunity to have an open dialogue to discuss the impact legislation is having on local governments as well as creates a forum to communicate and converse about the needs and challenges facing local governments throughout Pennsylvania. Dici will represent Ellwood City and 957 other boroughs until 2023. Out of a handful of borough officials, Dici was chosen by Wolf to serve on the committee. The Local Government Advisory Committee…

March 20, 2019

Council Votes to Not Appeal Ruling on Facebook Page

Ellwood City Council voted Monday night to not appeal an Office of Open Records ruling regarding a Facebook page run by two council members. The page, “Ellwood City Council-Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera,” which is run by council members Lisa Guerrera and Rob Brough, recently came under scrutiny when resident Jan Williams filed a Right to Know Law request with the borough. Williams wanted access to deleted comments, as well as a list of blocked and banned users. The page mentions votes casted by council members regarding various topics from hiring of personnel to the recent and ongoing Ellwood City…