BRISTOL — Township trustees are planning a celebration to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with a July 4 gathering at the township center.

Trustee Doug Seemann said there will be a family-themed picnic noon to 2 p.m., followed by games and activities.

Trustee Rhonda Snyder said various events are taking place at the schools to celebrate the Semiquincentennial, with students in grades first to fourth doing artwork, students in grades fifth to eighth writing poems, and students in ninth to 12th writing essays. She said the students’ work will be showcased at the July 4 picnic.

A fundraiser spaghetti dinner for the 250th celebration will be April 28 at the township administration building. Seemann said flags in the township will be replaced for the celebration. He said there are 58 flags on streetlight poles, at the cemetery, at the center park and at the fire department.

Snyder said one of her sons did an Eagle Scout project placing flags on poles and the flag holders are still in place.

The public can donate to the flag program for a $20 donation, which will buy a 3′ x 5′ U.S. flag. A sponsorship list will be on the township’s website.

In other business, Ken Weeks of the zoning commission said the board will be looking at including data centers in the zoning codes. He said it is important to have information on data centers in the zoning books to address light industry uses.

Also, Seemann said the township purchased 100 tons of salt in 2025 and only used 42 tons this winter. Road crews said it takes more than three hours to plow all of the township roads using two trucks. Snyder said roads should be salted more in the winter months.

In other business, trustees:

• Had a hearing on shipping containers being added to zoning codes. Agricultural use of shipping containers is allowed, but a zoning certificate is needed.

• Heard from Robin Martorana the senior center is exceeding its quota with attendees participating in various programs. Snyder said she will attend a program at the center to discuss natural gas aggregation.

• Heard from Seemann a review of the condition of the roads that found North Mahan Denman Road to be in the worst condition.

• Approved the purchase of 35 chairs at $1,164 from Shivory Banquet Equipment.

• Heard from Snyder of plans to rejuvenate the fire auxiliary.

• Set spring cleanup and tire collection for 9 a.m. to noon May 9.

• Announced the North Bristol Cemetery Association board will meet at 2 p.m. April 26 at Sager Cemetery.