Plans are underway for a walking/biking trail in Penn Forest Township.

Plans and discussion have been going on for several years and approval was granted at the board of supervisors meeting to begin applying for grants.

The trail would run along Route 903 and be completed in four phases.

Supervisor Patrick Holland explained, “There’s 0 feet of sidewalk, and the goal is for a linear park and a way to traverse the township without the need for a car.”

The plan is for the path to be 10 to 12 feet wide, room enough for two-way traffic of people, bikes, and strollers.

Phase one of the trail would be 2,500 feet from the park to Bear Creek Estates at an estimated cost of $30,075 for materials. Part 2, 6,000 feet from Bear Creek Lake to Bear Creek Estates would cost $75,000 in materials.

Approximately 6,000 feet would comprise part three, beginning at the park at a cost of $75,000 and 1,200-1,800 feet for phase 4, from the park to Scoops, the ice cream place at a cost of $30,000 in materials.

The plan is for the township to use its equipment and do the maintenance.

Groundbreaking is expected to occur within the next 24 months.

Other business

• In other business, up to $600 was approved for the purchase and associated training for 4 stop bleed kits for 4 work trucks.

• Payments were ratified for a state inspection of the 2018 Ford Interceptor at a cost of $127.58 and the repair of an electrical conduit for compactor 3 and 4 at the transfer station at a cost of $702.46.

• Payments were approved for lease payments for fire trucks, $85,577.12 for Penn Forest Fire Company #1 and $77,924.33 for Fire Company #2.

• A one-year social media internship program with a $2,500 educational scholarship will begin in conjunction with Carbon Career and Technical Institute.

• Zoning reported 55 short-term rental inspections were completed, with zero complaints made and 72 STR license renewals issued.

• A land development plan extension was granted until April 28 for Pocono Camp and Glamp, located at 79 Act Lane, Jim Thorpe.