Apr 14, 2015 By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read

Peters Township Council agreed to pursue a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help fund the construction of a new amphitheater at Peterswood Park in Venetia.

“We think we have a good chance,” of getting the grant, said Michael Silvestri, the township manager. The township is also pursuing a $50,000 grant from Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency for the project.

Silvestri said at the April 13 meeting it would likely cost around $750,000 to replace the 30-year-old amphitheater, which needs some repairs, such as the shoring up of retaining walls. But, the facility is usable and replacing it is not one of the township’s top priorities.

Council also agreed to a liquor license transfer request by Salvatore Plescia, who is planning on opening a second location of his popular fusion restaurant, Open German Italian Flair, at the former Center Plate restaurant on Center Church Road. Plescia’s other location is on Sugar Run Road in Venetia in the same building as the Venetia Post Office.

Plescia said both of his restaurants will have nearly identical menus. He said he plans on upgrading the Center Church Road site.

“It should be nice,” he said.

Silvestri said he is already receiving requests from township residents for additional recycling containers. Earlier this month, Peters began replacing recycling bins with a large, 65-gallon, lidded container that has wheels. The township ordered 8,100 containers as part of the replacement program.

Under the previous contract, Silvestri said each container cost the township $35. He said the municipality won’t be able to afford giving out the extra containers. He said the township got a deal on the containers, something it is unlikely to get a second time. Replacement containers will cost the township $50 each. Council agreed to charge anyone who wants a second container $50.

The conversion to the larger containers is being 90 percent funded by a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.