The grant would require a 50 percent match, meaning the township must commit to putting up about $108,000.

Park committee chair Kim Borland said the DCNR grant application must include exact plans for the project.

Supervisor Gene Frederick balked at the amount of the grant match required, saying he felt the township, with community help, could fund and build the restrooms.

“I hate to pass up a grant, but I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said.

Supervisor Matt Ellenberger agreed. “The money’s not there,” he said of the matching requirement. He said he thought permanent restrooms with full water and sewer could be built for less.

Supervisors approved an expenditure of $450 to place, level, and add safety railings to four sets of bleachers. Greg Borland said a plan for the project has been worked out, and some materials have been donated by CarMate Trailers.

Volunteers were ready to set the bleachers in place that weekend, while the railings would be installed later.

The Borlands said an estimated $450 would cover the cost of the bleacher work, except for some gravel that would be needed.

Kim Borland suggested buying four trash receptacles for the park, “though I’ll settle for three.” She presented costs for various types of receptacles and asked for approval.

Frederick said he knew someone who would donate the money for the receptacles. “Just go ahead and order them,” he said.

Borland then said she researched signs listing the rules of the park; vinyl on aluminum would be the preferred material and prices would range between $200 and $400, depending on size.

After discussion, supervisors said two 2-foot by 3-foot signs would be adequate, and Ellenberger asked Borland to get prices. Borland said she would put up some temporary laminated paper signs for now.

Jackie Landfried of the Wildflower Garden Club proposed creating a Blue Star Memorial flower garden at the park entrance.

The concept is based on the Blue Star window signs used to designate households with a member serving in the armed forces in World War II, she said, and would be dedicated to the memory or war veterans.

Landfried said her club would pay for the memorial, and it would take three or four months to arrange and install. She suggested it be located across the driveway from the entrance sign, and said it would include native plants as much as possible.

Supervisors approved Ellenberger’s motion to grant permission to install the memorial.

Work session

During the work session following the special voting meeting, Mellon said Mark Orlic of the Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited approached the township about a study of Coon Creek and its water quality.

Mellon said the group is interested in forming a partnership with the township for the purpose of grant applications.

Most of Coon Creek is actually in Forest County , but the source of most water quality problems involves tributaries in Farmington Township

Mellon said the township directed the owners of three dangerous structures to correct the situation, but nothing has yet been done. Township legal counsel Terry Heeter filed complaints with District Judge Nancy Kadunce, and hearings have been set for May 7.