Chestnuthill Township is exploring the option of refinancing the $3,523,781 2016 series bonds to take advantage of the lower interest rates.

“What we are asking for tonight is for Scott (Shearer) from Public Financial Management to put the 2016 series bonds out for bid within and beyond just to get some more feedback to see where we are at,” said secretary Cathy Martinelli at the meeting this week.

“So, there is a potential savings of $84,000, and it does not cost us anything to put out there,” she said.

A motion was made and seconded to explore the possibility of refinancing the 2016 series bonds.

Parks and Recreation

Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Park and Open Space Commission, reported 50 Earth Day volunteers picked up the least amount of roadside seen in years.

Is it a sign people are starting to realize we can’t just keep trashing the roadsides, or is it simply because people are staying home because of the pandemic? Kozen said he hopes it is the start.

Other events during April were also successful.

“We had 75 kids at the Easter drive-thru, 35 tables at the craft/gift fair,” he said.

Also, the StoryWalk seems to be attracting more parents and children. During April the West End Park had 53 visitors and Ross Park had 31.

After getting the word out about the Fleetwood scholarships, they now have 14 applications from students. Two students will receive a $2,000 scholarship in memory of Dave Fleetwood.

Previous business

The township accepted a bid for a mechanic’s truck.

Roadmaster Dave Scheller said it would be to the township’s advantage. When they have breakdowns out on the road, the mechanic’s truck can do many of the repairs right in place.

So far, there has only been one bid for $30,000 from Dave Muschlitz of Muschlitz Excavating.

The truck meets the township’s requirements for what the roadmaster had requested.

The May 18 meeting is canceled due to the primary election.