BUTLER TWP — Commissioners voted Monday to apply for a $10,000 county grant to add new lights to the pickleball courts at Butler Township Park.

Butler Township administrator Tom Knights said the most recent estimate for the project is $40,000, so the $10,000 through the county will help with the cost.

The deadline to apply for the grant is the end of this month, according to Knights. He also said he expects grants to be awarded in May.

“The intent of the program is revitalization, renovation and development,” Knights said. “We have applied many years and have been very successful.”

Township commission president Dave Zarnick, a member of the Butler County Parks and Recreation Board, and said the board keeps track of the parks that receive grant funding.

“If a municipality receives the funds, the board knows to go out and take a look at the park to see where the money is being spent,” Zarnick said. “Most municipalities do apply for the full amount of the $10,000 ... It is quite interesting to see how the parks are maintained.”

2021 in recycling

Knights also recapped the weight of household hazardous recyclable materials the township collected throughout 2021, because fourth-quarter statistics became available in January.

Butler Township offers at-home recyclable collection through its trash contractor, which allows residents to call for pickup on items including paints, electronics, computers and televisions.

According to Knights, the township in 2021 collected 8,122 pounds of paint, 4,900 pounds in computers, 34,340 pounds in televisions and 5,554 pounds of electronics, which includes large items like microwaves and toasters.

Over three years, the township has collected 82.3 tons of large-item recyclables through this program, according to Knights.