Jim Thorpe Borough is looking to secure grant funding to upgrade the Asa Packer Mansion’s heating and cooling system, part of a broader effort to preserve the historic landmark and support other community projects.

The HVAC project was one of several discussed Thursday during council’s review of Local Share Account Monroe grant applications. Other requests include funding for a new Lehighton Ambulance vehicle and a drone for the police department.

“The estimate that we had in 2022 was about $125,000,” Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said of the HVAC work. “It may be $175,000 now. However, we do have a couple of units that we replaced. Two heating systems have been replaced, so they are working on updating that estimate.”

Questions quickly turned to matching funds for the grants.

“Lehighton Ambulance is putting in a match for the ambulance,” Sterner noted. “The drone, I don’t think that’s necessary, that’s a lower priced application.”

The grant request for the ambulance is $168,429 with Lehighton Ambulance matching $50,000. A $21,196 grant request will be submitted for the police department drone.

Council discussed splitting the HVAC match with the mansion fund, as they had done on previous projects.

“That’s what we did last year with the electrical work,” Borough Secretary Brooke Klotz said. “Half of it came from the borough, and the other half came from the mansion itself.”

Later in Thursday’s meeting, the mansion came up again as council reviewed a proposed roof maintenance contract. The roof was replaced last year, and the borough is considering a service agreement with Alan Kunsman, the contractor who performed the work.

“They would do two inspections a year and make sure that preventative maintenance is done on the roof to ensure its longevity,” Klotz said.

Debris would be removed from the roof and the drainage systems.

The annual cost of the agreement is $1,750.

“You have to have proof that we’re doing maintenance for the manufacturer warranty to be valid,” Council President Greg Strubinger said.

The mansion, built in 1861, was the home of philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. In 1912, Mary Packer Cummings, Asa Packer’s daughter, willed her family’s home and all its contents to the Borough of Mauch Chunk.

The mansion was opened to the public in 1956.