Franklin Township's Phifer Ice Dam Park will soon have two more pavilions for visitors to enjoy, thanks to a $37,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Supervisors revealed on Tuesday that the grant funds will be used to create a picnic grove on a two-acre parcel of property within the Phifer Ice Dam Park.The parcel is currently unusable due to the area being overgrown with pine trees and underbrush.The goal is to have the area clear cut and have two pavilions built, and have macadam placed underneath the pavilions.There will also be electric supplied to the pavilions.The funds would pay for stump removal, excavating, construction of the two pavilions, blacktop under the pavilions and a parking lot area.The supervisors would also like to improve the Little League field at the park by replacing the pitcher's mound and batter box, improving the skinned portion of the infield to smooth and make the surface consistent, level the infield turf to eliminate lumps and low spots, replace the poly-fence cap protector around the baseball field, add protective fencing along the first baseline and purchase a lawn tractor to maintain the infield turf and skinned area.There is also some landscaping planned.The present pitching mound would be replaced with clay bricks providing a more stable area that would not erode with continual use.The infield would have infield mix added, along with a soil conditioner, which would be more conducive for water drainage.The grant provides $16,000 to construct the two pavilions, $3,500 for electric, $5,000 for grading and $1,200 for the lawn tractor; $5,000 for materials and labor for trees, grass seed, shrubs and straw; and $3,500 for the walkway to pavilions; $2,800 of the funds will be set aside for improvements to the ball field.Secretary Sandra Gaumer also announced that there will be a change in garbage collection pick up for the Good Friday holiday.Instead of pick up on April 22, pick up will be made on Thursday, April 21.She noted that the township office will be closed on Good Friday in observance of the holiday.Supervisors clarified a holding tank agreement with Donna Lou Ahner that allows a portable potty be used on property that will be used seasonally, plus discussed a second issue with Ahner that will allow her access to her property.Supervisor Rod Green noted that while the property was subdivided years ago, the deeds were never recorded in a timely manner.Supervisors also noted they terminated the employment of William Dorward as a member of the road crew and hired Jana Metro as a seasonal worker as a part time custodian at the Phifer Ice Dam Park.They also increased the working hours of office worker Christine Green to a minimum of 25 hours.The township supervisors also approved a revised pump station agreement with Central Carbon Municipal Authority.The board also approved the request of the Pohopoco Rod and Gun Club to host a youth fishing day for children and grandchildren of veterans on May 15.The board also approved a two-year contract with Dominion Energy Solutions.The board also approved a motion to open bids at the May 17 meeting to purchase road materials to do seal coatings on all of Robrucel Drive and Forest Street and lower Grange Road and Sawmill Road, if funds are available; and to overlay half of Hemlock Road, part of Krakow Drive, plus restore a section of Reber Street that was torn up because of sewer activity; and overlay a part of Oak Drive.Rod Cressley, road foreman, noted that the township usually chooses several roads to resurface each year.