CANFIELD TOWNSHIP — NOPEC representative Craig Brown has been checking in with the townships that are part of the aggregation program for gas and electricity, and it was Canfield Township’s turn on Tuesday.

He said electricity prices are rising because of demand and data centers are pushing up the price. Natural gas also is being affected by the war with Iran because Iran supplies 20% of the world’s natural gas.

“As for the U.S. supply of natural gas, a lot goes overseas where customers pay more,” he said. “For the summer months, the price will be at 9.99 cents/kWh, and that should hold for three cycles (3 months).”

Trustees questioned Brown on the grants that NOPEC offers. One grant is for $750 that can be used for anything and trustees talked about using it to provide the movies at the park this year.

Brown added NOPEC has grants available for energy efficiency and anything that saves electricity or gas could qualify for the grant.

Trustee Marie Cartwright asked if the grant would have to be paid back if the township went with another aggregation group and left NOPEC.

“If you had to pay it back, it would create ill will, and I don’t see that happening,” Brown said. “You guys have saved your constituents a lot of money by negotiating with us. It’s just rare to have people leave.”

Cartwright said if the township received a better offer for the residents, they would leave NOPEC.

Also Tuesday, trustees approved the purchase of a new backhoe. The present backhoe, a 2011 New Holland, has 4,400 hours on it and is constantly breaking down. “Our 17-year-old tractor is having a lot of issues,” said Public Works representative Shawn Stack. “I would hate to have an issue when we have to dig a grave.”

He said there are other pieces of equipment his department would like to have, but those items are wish lists. He said replacing the backhoe is a must do item.

The new tractor, a 2026 Case 580 Super N WT, was found at Southeastern Equipment through Source Well. The cost is roughly $163,000 and the township will receive $21,000 for the old tractor. The cost of the new one was $208,000, but Source Well negotiated the much better price, Stack said.

“We can save over $20,000 by buying it outright,” said trustee chairman Joe Paloski.

In other business, Zoning Inspector Traci DeCapua submitted a new dog ordinance that includes a $150 fine for the second time police have to respond for a nuisance dog. DeCapua said it would allow deputies a little leeway in dealing with the situation, but it covers barking dogs and dogs running at large. Trustees first had to rescind a prior dog ordinance before approving the new one.

Trustees also approved the township administrator applying for a State Capital Budget grant for Township Park. If approved, the grant would consist of two additional pieces of playground equipment for ages 2-5, 80 cubic yards of fall protection for the playground, and paving the main driveway from Herbert Road and the main parking area. Total cost of the project is $162,479 with a 10% local share.

Trustees also:

• Approved the School Resource Officer agreement in the amount of $52,795.54.

• Agreed to advertise on Facebook and the township’s website for the 2026 Parkland Lawn Maintenance and Nuisance Property Cleanup program. Quotes can be submitted until 10:30 a.m. April 6.

• Set the Westbury Lighting District public hearing at 5:30 p.m. April 28.