Sen. David G. Argall has sent a letter supporting Bowmanstown Borough’s request for a $245,410 grant from the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society to fund a proposed multiuse park along Railroad Street near the post office.

The funding, if received, will support amenities including a walking trail, pavilion, composting restroom, and parking, elements that have been part of the project’s concept since its early planning stages this year.

The park concept has been under discussion by borough council and community advocates.

In March, landscape architect Jayson Woods outlined the vision — complete with a trail, pavilion, restroom and parking — based on a borough survey of more than 100 residents.

Council members Candace Rodriques and Norman Engle Jr. were absent from the most recent meeting, where a range of municipal business was conducted.

Solicitor Lisa Pereira reported that the Sewer Agreement with Mark Krofchok of Utility Management Services needs revisions, which she will return to the firm for adjustment. Engineer Jessica Rehrig informed council that the application for a Highway Occupancy Permit to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was submitted on April 17 to install ADA ramps at Lincoln Avenue.

Rehrig also said she is preparing a Community Block Grant application for improvements on Forge Street between Spring and Hamilton streets, due to Carbon County by May 15.

The project will require demographic surveys by both the borough and county. President Pam Leiby proposed that the borough can collect resident signatures along that street, a suggestion the board supported.

Other business

Council appointed Kara Scott as president pro tempore after the resignation of Darren Thomas, and also appointed Brad Roahd to the Water Authority Board.

• A nonbinding Letter of Intent from Landmark Dividend regarding a proposed cell tower was rejected by a council vote.

• Bowmanstown Postmaster Andrew Debalko asked if the borough would be willing to cut the small remaining portion of grass beside the post office — an area the borough already partially maintains. Council agreed to explore a maintenance agreement and potential fee.

• Councillor Ben Price reported the fire department’s financial statement as of March 31, showed a balance of $31,499.30, and called for updates to emergency contact information and hazardous materials storage records in the borough, noting it has been years since a formal update.

• Vice President Wendy Borger detailed revenue receipts: $1,445.50 from the local realty transfer tax for March, $79.31 from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas for vehicle and miscellaneous court fines, and $228.85 from the Tax Claim Bureau. She also noted the borough’s insurance renewal increased by $4,347.

• Council approved several capital expenditures, including a quote from Koch’s Appliance for a thru-the-wall and a window A/C unit totaling $1,619.68 (with up to $200 for labor); purchase of 12 risers at $672; and proposals from Innovative Control Solutions and Electrical Services Inc. for two G6 cameras ($2,511.76) and a router replacement ($434.29). A change order from MGK Industries Inc. for the WWTP Chlorine Contact Tank Project in the amount of $5,762.79 was also approved.

• Mayor Sean McDermott reported that a burn ban remains in effect until further notice, and said he is initiating citations for vehicles parked on borough streets without valid inspections.

• McDermott said McHose Bro Construction LLC will refund the borough for equipment brought in to attempt repairs on the Bell Tower after determining it could not be positioned safely. “I will find someone that can fix it,” McDermott said.

Leiby expressed appreciation for borough staff, saying, “Thanks to our secretary Rebecca Gruber for our notes and information for tonight’s meeting are in great order,” and thanked Borger for creating a daily log for the road crew to track resident requests and completed tasks.

• Resident Antoinette Mullen of Pine Street urged the council to address long-standing road conditions.

“It needs to be fixed. It’s been just horrible for 50 years. This is a small town. We need a committee to address the streets, to get more grants,” she said.

Leiby confirmed that the curbing ordinance applies to all streets, and councilor Kara Scott said they are considering separate curbing standards for concrete and asphalt where appropriate. Leiby asked Mullen if she would gather neighbors to start a roads committee, and she agreed.

Resident Paul Lupcho from Lincoln Avenue also noted road issues, pointing out a persistent dip where the sewer plant road was not properly restored after construction.