Recent Stories

Ellwood City Borough Council

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 Council President Judith Dici said the meters are outdated and “not that great of a revenue.”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…

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…