Recent Stories

Ellwood City Borough Council

August 16, 2022

Council Promotes Ellwood City Police Officer to Sergeant

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to promote Ellwood City Police Officer Rob Magnifico to sergeant. Council had a choice to make in promoting one officer or two. Magnifico along with fellow Officer Matt Kennedy were the choices to fill the position. Councilman Caleb Cragle and Councilwoman Jan Williams voted to promote two officers but were met with opposition from the rest of council. Councilmen James Barry, Brad Ovial, and George Celli and Councilwomen Judith Dici and Michelle Lamenza voted to appoint one officer—Magnifico—to fill the role. Before the vote, Councilman Cragle asked Mayor Anthony Court, who heads the…

July 19, 2022

Borough to Seek Residents for Comprehensive Plan Committee

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to accept letters of interest from Borough residents willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The Comprehensive Plan Committee shall consist of three Council members, Borough Manager David Allen, and five Borough residents. Community planning, according to the American Planning Association, is “a process that seeks to engage all members of the community to create a more prosperous, convenient, equitable, healthy, and attractive place for present and future generations.” One of the fundamental responsibilities of local government is to plan for future growth and development of the community. The guidance document that results from…

June 21, 2022

Borough Council Approves Proposed Referendum for 1 Mill Tax Increase on November Ballot

Ellwood City Borough Council plans to request that the Lawrence County Election Board place a referendum on the November 2022 ballot asking the electors of Ellwood City to approve a one (1) mill tax for ambulance, rescue, and other emergency services to provide advanced life support. Council voted 6-1 in favor of the plan. Councilman James Barry voted no and Councilwoman Judith Dici was absent from the meeting. Barry said he doesn’t believe this is a good time to add financial burden of any kind to the residents of Ellwood City with the rise in gas prices and other goods….

May 17, 2022

EC Borough Hires Summer Employees

Ellwood City Borough Council hired a list of summer employees during the Monday Regular Meeting. Council approved: A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 4/18/22, as submitted. A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $455,081 and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $209,623.29. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, regulating disorderly houses. A disorderly house is defined as any place within the borough where persons gather or abide, and where the…

April 19, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Awards Commendations, Hires Police Officers

The Ellwood City Borough Council awarded two commendations during its regular meeting Monday night. The first commendation was given by Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court and Ellwood City Police Sgt. Michael McBride to Darrell Hunt, a street department employee, who was integral in helping the police department solve a recent criminal case. He witnessed the criminal activity and reported it to police. Court said Hunt’s swift actions led to an arrest of the suspects involved. Ellwood City Police officer Joshua Sipe was also recognized for going above and beyond in his duties. On March 29, Sipe saw borough resident Anthony…

March 22, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Hiring Summer Employees, Community Outreach Coordinator

Ellwood City Borough is hiring. Jobs available include summer employment for park manager; parks, playground and concession stand coordinator; playground instructors; and concession stand employees. The borough is also looking to add a part-time Community Outreach Coordinator to the staff. Borough Manager David Allen said the position will pay $14 an hour and will include tasks such as website coordination, social media posting and engagement, community outreach with local events and groups, and grantwriting. Motions passed: A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 2/21/22, as submitted. A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 3/15/22,…

March 4, 2022

Borough Council Adopts Budget Payment Plan for Utility Accounts

Ellwood City Borough Council adopted Resolution #2004-4 approving a budget payment plan for utility accounts under the following provisions: Customers may complete the application form provided by the Borough during the annual open enrollment period from the third Monday in March through the third Friday in April. The first budget-billing amount will appear on the May utility bill. The maximum budget periods will be twelve (12) months with all balances due to be settled in the 12th month. The budget amount shall be determined by taking the average of the most recent twelve months utility bills. The Borough reserves the…

February 21, 2022

Council Approves New Server for Police Department

Ellwood City Borough Council approved the quote for a Microsoft SQL Server (license & software) for the police department. The $7,254.74 quote approval will allow the police department to upgrade their server, which houses vital information regarding arrests, etc. According to Officer Josh Sipe, the current server dates to 2013. He said it is slow and poses an issue when it comes to safely storing important information that is required by the state. Sipe said there is a possibility that the old system could cause a loss of information which could cause legal issues. The department also announced a renewed…

January 18, 2022

Borough Approves Liquor License Transfer to El Canelo IX, LLC; Mayor Names New K9 Officer

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license #R-17325 to El Canelo IX, LLC. El Canelo opened in Ellwood City at 1226 Lawrence Ave in October and has been serving Mexican food in Lawrence County since 2001. The manager of the restaurant, Antonio Porras, said at a January 10 council meeting that the license will be a great addition to help serve delicious beverages at the Ellwood City location. Porras said the transfer follows a decision to temporarily close the West State Street location because a lack of staffing. In other council news: Mayor…

January 3, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Council Reorganizes, Sets 2022 Meeting Dates

Ellwood City Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting Monday night. Newly elected Mayor Anthony Court was administered his oath of office by Jerry Cartwright, magisterial district judge. Court then administered the oath of office to the newly elected council members: Jim Barry, Michele Lamenza, Brad Ovial, and Jan Williams. Ovial joined council after Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera resigned in August. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera had moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to fulfill the rest of her term. Ovial and Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat…