Salisbury Township is weighing refinancing debt and wrapping in an additional estimated $1.5 million for municipal improvement projects.

Rather than floating a bond, township officials are considering taking out a loan with a Lehigh Valley bank.

“We received several proposals,” Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus said during his report to the board of commissioners at the June 24 township meeting.

Of four proposals received, according to Ziegenfus, The Neffs National Bank presented the best offer.

Ziegenfus said Neffs proposal is at a 1.76 percent interest rate for 15 years.

A proposal for an agreement for the financing with Neffs Bank is expected to be on the agenda for consideration of a vote at the next commissioners’ meeting, 7 p.m. July 8, in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

Ziegenfus said the cost would be less for the township to borrow the money from Neffs than to finance the projects with a bond. He also said a loan would be less complicated and less time-consuming to administer than a bond.

Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich lauded the prospect of the loan, as well as the interest rate.

“We’ve never seen that. And we’ll never see that again. So, we are going to jump on that,” Bonaskiewich said in reaction to Ziegenfus’ announcement.

After the June 24 meeting, Ziegenfus told a reporter for The Press approximately $1.5 million would be added to $5.2 million in debt for a total of approximately $6.75 million.

Projects to finance are to include, Ziegenfus said, Laubach Park stormwater improvements, Flexer Avenue water line and South 25th Street water line.

If the loan is approved and after the paperwork for it is completed, the township projects might be put out for bid in July or August.

Work on the projects is expected to begin in 2022.

In other business at the June 24 meeting:

- During the courtesy of the floor portion, Jane Benning of the Summit Lawn area said a drainage grate is clogged along Woodland Drive.

Salisbury Township Director of Public Works Jim Levernier said, “We’ll take a look at it.”

- Salisbury Township Recreation Director Genny Baillie noted “Salisbury Night” is July 20 at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Phillies Triple A Baseball Team game at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown.

Bonaskiewich said as of the June 24 meeting, 67 of 80 reserved seats had been sold.

Baillie said “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a Walt Disney Animation Studios’ feature film, is expected to be the next movie shown at Franko Farm Park, Aug. 13.

Contemporary music band, AM Radio, is to perform a concert Sept. 5 at Franko Farm Park.