Lansford Borough Council will be applying for more than $270,000 in gaming grants for local nonprofits.

The borough is applying for $263,156 for Grace Community Church and Second Harvest Food Bank for work on the former English Congregational Church.

Council President Bruce Markovich said he knows that Grace Church just acquired the former church on West Ridge Street, and wants to do work on the church’s tower.

A sign outside of the former English Congregational Church reads, “Future site of the Panther Valley Community Center.”

The borough is also applying for Monroe Local Share Account grant for the Lansford Historical Society. This grant is for $20,000 for additional work on the former Welsh Church, which seen other structural work this year.

Markovich, who is also vice president of the historical society, said the funds for the Welsh Church are to replace the ceiling and for a retaining wall behind the structure to prevent damage to the church.

Resident Samantha Rose and others questioned the borough’s involvement in the grants for the nonprofits, which was one of many issues raised by residents in the nearly two-hour long meeting Wednesday night.

They questioned why the borough was spending money, and if the borough would be on the hook for more funds by applying for the grants.

Markovich explained the borough is required to file grant applications for nonprofits such as Grace Church and the historical society. The borough, however, is not involved in the grant writing.

The borough only files the application on behalf of the nonprofits, he said.

The borough executes a “pass through” agreement with the nonprofits, which ensures the borough is not responsible for an error made by the nonprofits, Markovich said.

He said the agreement also ensures that agencies not seek additional funds from the borough should a project have overruns.

Council approved applying for the grant for Grace Church and Second Harvest, passed a resolution for filing the grant and executed a pass through agreement. Council members Martin Ditsky and Jennifer Staines were opposed.

Council also approved the grant for the historical society, a resolution for the grant and a pass through agreement. Only Ditsky was opposed.