Township approves routine contracts and pensions; recreation board plans pickleball courts amid parking complaints

The Plains Township Board approved routine financial items Sept. 12, including payment of the General Fund bills (utility bills $23,880.04; regular bills $246,199.19; total $270,079.23) and the award of garbage bag contract 6P to Keystone Packing at a low bid of $10.41 per case.

Commissioner Ciro Cinti moved to accept the minutes and the listed monthly reports; the motion carried. The board also accepted the 2025 minimum municipal obligation (MMO) figures for the police, fire and non-uniformed pension plans as submitted by AFG Pension Administrators.

Recreation officials said fall soccer, Plains Yankees football and cheerleading are underway and that the recreation board obtained a quote to line two tennis courts for pickleball. Commissioners asked park users to be mindful of children using the park during seasons of heavy activity.

Theresa Marchel, a resident, raised recurring parking and access issues during little-league games on Wyoming Street, saying vehicles sometimes block the street and impede access for disabled neighbors. Chief Binker said officers will ask drivers to move but generally will not issue citations in that context; commissioners said they will work with the little league to remind attendees to avoid parking behind homes and will encourage announcements from coaches about appropriate parking.

The board accepted a retirement letter from Recreation Department employee Patrick Delasandro, effective Dec. 6, 2024, and approved retirement benefits per his contract. The next regular meeting was announced for Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.