WEATHERSFIELD — Township trustees will spend $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funds they received from the county commissioners to add pickleball courts and fencing at the township park.

Trustees at their meeting Tuesday approved soliciting proposals for the design and installation of four pickleball courts at the park, 1388 Stewart St.

Trustee Chairman Steve Gerberry said the park is used for different activities and pickleball will be a nice addition. Gerberry said the $150,000 should cover the total project cost.

Work will begin in April and be done in June.

The fire department is also seeking grant money to get various turnout gear.

Fire Capt. Jeff Tucker will apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant for five sets of turnout gear and equipment costing $19,816. The gear includes helmets, coats, gloves, pants, hoods, boots and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Tucker said the grant request is for $9,980, with a local match $9,980. He said this is one of three grants the fire department is seeking this year.

Tucker also reported that the fire department in 2024 received a $5,000 donation from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2074, which was used for obtaining tools such as chainsaws. Gerberry said the police department also received funds from the VFW, with plans to get needed equipment.

In other business, trustees approved a resolution supporting the Ohio Public Infrastructure amendment on the May primary ballot.

Gerberry said the program has been in place since 1989 and the township has received more than $2.3 million, which has been used for 25 different road and infrastructure projects.

“That is a huge amount we have received for a small township like ours. “This year, that money will be used to pave Countyline Road. This is not a tax, it just allows the state to sell bonds. This does not come out of the pockets of the local taxpayers.” Gerberry said.

He said residents are asked to support the statewide issue, which will allow for authorizing the issuance of $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds limited to $250 million per year over 10 years to finance critical public infrastructure improvement projects throughout the state.

Gerberry said the issue will help increase the available funds from $200 million to $250 million, with the potential for more money to come back to the area.

He said the Mahoning Valley has been able to secure $8 million to $9 million in 2025 grants, which are competitive.

“Everyone in the Mahoning Valley will be competing for that money,” Gerberry said.

The program has funded 19,000 projects in communities in all 88 Ohio counties since it began.