The first phase of improvements to one of its recreational facilities will cost Rush Township nearly $80,000.

On a 2-0 vote, the township's board of supervisors on Thursday agreed to award a contract to Northeastern Hydro-Seeding Co. Inc of Tamaqua, in the amount of $79,200. Board Chairman Shawn Gilbert was absent.The company submitted the sole bid on the project.Construction of the Miller Park Phase 1 Improvements calls for the installation of playground equipment, site grading, parking lot construction, walkway construction, landscaping and stormwater facilities.Other businessSupervisors also:• Accepted the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's additional money for the 2013 Home Program in the amount of $152,390. The funds will be used to improve the township's housing redevelopment program.• Agreed to purchase a 2015 Interceptor police car through the state's COSTARS program in the amount of $40,696.• Accepted Mike Zimmerman's transfer from the road department to the sewer department at a pay rate of $20 per hour, retroactive as of June 29, 2015.• Accepted Dennis Rupert's formal notice of his intent to retire, with his last day Sept. 1.• Accepted the township's decision to hire Anthony Sfarra for the road department, starting Aug. 24, at a pay rate of $17 an hour.• Approved the Turner/Ward subdivision.• Announced that the township is in search of alternates to serve on the township's zoning hearing board. Candidates may submit their letter of interest to the township municipal building.• Thanked state Rep. Jerry Knowles for providing the township with a new American flag.• Announced that PPL has subcontracted tree trimmers to cut branches and limbs around the wires. The township is not responsible for cleaning up the branches or trunks they cut.Anyone with concerns may contact Forester Brian Decken at 570-498-2021.