Money, Trails and Picnic Pavilion All Connect at Richland Meeting

This is the story of money, nonexistent trails and a new picnic pavilion for

They're all connected. Trust me.

First, the money.

Richland taxpayers stand to come out ahead by $300,000 or more by the refinancing of municipal bonds.

The Richland Board of Supervisors on Wednesday directed Michael Zubasic of PNC Capital Markets to move forward with refinancing two series of bonds -- Series A 2007 and Series B 2007 -- that total about $7 million.

By refinancing at a lower interest rate of about 3.25 percent, the township stands to net about $357,000 in savings, said Zubasic. Of course, rates change, so the supervisors set parameters for PNC Capital Markets.

Zubasic is to go ahead if the township stands to net at least $300,000 by refinancing, the supervisors said. Anything less than that would necessitate a call to township manager Dean Bastianini, who would poll the supervisors to see if they want to proceed.

The Nonexistent Trails

Wednesday's meeting started with a request from Maronda Homes to give the township $20,000 to be used toward recreational facilities instead of building walking trails in its Richland Highlands Planned Residential Development Plan.

The supervisors agreed to modify Maronda's previously approved plan by removing the requirement for walking trails and redirecting the $20,000 contribution.

Bastianini said the planned trails were disjointed and ran through the backyards of homes in the development off Richland Road.

A Picnic Pavilion

Finally, the supervisors voted unanimously to purchase a 60-foot steel picnic shelter from Classic Recreation Systems for about $80,000 for Richland Community Park.

The supervisors previously had approved a 42-foot pavilion, but decided to go with the larger structure after getting the $20,000 contribution from Maronda.

Development of a soccer zone and family play zone in the park, of which the pavilion will be a part, is funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.