UNION TOWNSHIP Supervisors seek funds for park improvements

One supervisor is confident the township will receive the funds.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township supervisors are seeking federal money to improve Scotland Meadows Park.
At their Tuesday night meeting, supervisors approved applying to the U.S. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for about $75,000 to rebuild the Lakeview Pavilion. The current structure, built in 1980, is in poor repair, Supervisor Steve Galizia said.
He added that the 24-by-48 replacement will have electricity and water, a barbecue grill, a utility room, aluminum tables, and will be handicapped accessible.
Galizia said this will be the first part of a long-term plan to replace the park's four pavilions and build a fifth one, which will be enclosed so it could be used during the winter as a community center. He said he is confident the funding will be approved.
If the federal money is approved, the pavilion is expected to be completed by July 4, 2005, he said. Galizia told residents the rental rate for the new pavilion will be higher than rates for current ones.
In addition, he announced that a gravel parking area at the park entrance, which is used for parking for Little League games, will be expanded and paved with federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
Voted against bills
In another matter, Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh voted against approving about $5,600 worth of bills for the ongoing remodeling of the township building.
He asked why the project was never bid out when bills so far have amounted to more than $14,000. Informal bids must be obtained for jobs that cost $3,000. Bids must be formally advertised when the job is $10,000 or above.
Galizia said he called the state supervisors' association and was informed the way the job has been handled was legal. He also said that informal bids were obtained for some parts of the job.