BUTLER TWP — Commissioners approved a request Monday, March 18, for a Scout to build four to five bat boxes on Sawmill Run Road, which will allow him to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.

Morgan Oesterling, a Scout in Troop 20 of the Moraine Trails Council, said he has always been passionate about bats — one of his favorite animals. He said the bat boxes will help cut down on insects, and therefore, chemical sprays on plants.

“Installing a bat house can provide mothers and their pups with a safe home,” Oesterling said. “These artificial roof sites provide clean homes for bats that are free of white-nose syndrome.”

Oesterling said he will take care of funding the project and installing the bat boxes.

The commissioners voted to advertise for bids for the concession stand and parking lot project planned for the recreation complex at Pullman Center Business Park. The township is in the process of creating a recreation complex off Hollywood Drive.

The first phase involves the installation of an artificial turf field near the Butler Transit Authority office which will include soccer, lacrosse and football markings. There also will be a parking lot with 68 spaces, which Butler Township manager Tom Knights said is slated to include chargers for electric vehicles.

Knights said Monday the township received the artificial turf for the field, but its installation has been delayed by weather.

The coming phase of construction also includes the entrance to the parking lot, the parking lot itself and its lights. The concession building includes restrooms.

Security systems for the complex will be a separate bid, according to Knights. He said the size of the project why the township separated the building of the complex into phases.

“That’s one of the reasons why phasing the field and phasing the other components — boy, they’ve got people right on top of each other,” Knights said. “There is just not enough room to facilitate both of those contracts at one time. Same thing is going to happen with the security system.”

Knights said he expects to put the project out to bid in April, and the township will likely award a contract in May. The expected construction time is 90 days, he said.

The township will pay the $45 cost for the civil service testing application fee through 2024 for anyone applying to become a police officer.

Township police Chief John Hays said many other police departments in the region have waived their civil service testing application fee, and it might help with recruitment of police officers. He also said money to pay the fee will come from the police department’s budget.