WEATHERSFIELD — Township trustees are seeking $500,000 from the state’s capital budget award for community park improvements.

Trustees at their meeting Tuesday approved a resolution to have Township Administrator David Rouan request reallocation of a $500,000 fiscal year 2021-22 state capital budget award for community park improvements through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Trustee Richard Harkins said the 2021-22 capital budget included a $500,000 award from the Ohio Department of Commerce to the township for a capital improvement project, which was construction of a multijurisdictional education/workforce development training center.

“We originally wanted to build a community center, but it became too expensive,” he said.

He said because of substantial increases in construction material and labor costs, the training center was not financially feasible with the amount of the appropriation.

Harkins said trustees have found an alternative project of a pavilion, restroom facilities and parking area improvements at the park to enhance public access, recreational opportunities and community programming.

Trustees are asking that the state reallocate the $500,000 capital award from the Ohio Department of Commerce to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the project.

“We are going to keep trying to get this money back,” Harkins said.

In other business, trustees approved seeking a community project funding appropriation through U.S. Congressman David Joyce’s office for a $750,000 Rural Development Community Facilities grant to complete HVAC and roofing replacement, remodeling and construction of the police department sallyport at the administration building. Police Chief Michael Naples said a sallyport is the secured entryway in a police garage where prisoners are brought through.

Harkins said the state capital budget award money could not have been used for a project that involved renovations to a current building.

SIDEWALKS

In other news, trustees reported the township has secured a safety funding grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the replacement of sidewalks along Main Street (state Route 46) between Stewart Street and Seaborn Street.

Officials said the project cost is estimated to be around $347,000 for construction and is expected to begin this summer.

Trustees also approved Zackary Gran, a Weathersfield High School graduate, to host a community pickleball tournament 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 23, with a rain date of May 24. The event is designed to engage the community.

Rouan said all proceeds from the tournament will be given to the township for maintenance and improvements to the park.

Trustees also presented a proclamation to fire Chief Thomas Lambert for his 40 years of service. Lambert began his career in Weathersfield in 1985 as a junior firefighter. He has served over the years as a probationary firefighter, firefighter, lieutenant and captain, and was appointed chief in 2019.

Lambert also began his career with Life Trans in 1996 in the wheelchair transportation division and advanced through the organization as a dispatcher, emergency medical technician and paramedic, assuming the role of chief operating officer in 2018.