Franklin Township will apply for Local Share Account Grants for additional improvements to Christman Ballfield.

Supervisors, by a 2-0 vote Tuesday, gave approval to have retired Maj. Gen. (Marvin) Jay Barry apply for the LSA grants for the ball field.

That includes a septic system design to enable the construction of two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathrooms at the northeast corner and the southern corner.

Supervisor Leroy Kemmerer Jr. was absent from the meeting.

Last month, the supervisors voted to apply for a Local Share Account Grant for the second phase of the Christman Ballfield renovation plan.

The board is requesting an LSA from the Commonwealth Financing Authority on behalf of the Franklin Township Athletic Association for Phase II of the project.

They include $114,488 for Project A, Accessible Playground; $142,043 for Project B, Accessible T-ball field; and $29,436 for Project C, Accessible Parking Lot.

Last year, Barry applied for a Monroe County Local Share Account grant for the combined project of baseball and T-ball fields, along with the playground and parking lot.

Barry noted that the LSA Monroe funding is divided throughout Carbon, Monroe, Northampton and Lackawanna counties, and added that he broke it down into three projects and applied for three grants, and should hear back by March or April.

In April, the supervisors named Joseph Zutcofski from Carbon Engineering as project manager for the Department of Community and Economic Development grant for the Christman Ballfield plan.

Board Chairman Fred Kemmerer Jr. said at that time his only concern was if there was an additional cost. At that time there was no estimated cost associated with the position.

However, Kemmerer said it was the request of Barry, and so he respected that request.

Barry said at that time they’ve also applied for a second grant through the state Department of Community & Economic Development through the Local Share Account from Monroe County gaming funds.

The second phase will include a T-ball field in the northeast corner of the field, a playground area and a new parking area.

The cost for the playground itself is $128,000, $130,000 for the field, and about another $25,000, so they requested a grant from DCED for $332,000.

The board agreed to pay all of the engineering fees as it moves forward with the renovation project, at the suggestion of Supervisors Robin Cressley.

The project received a grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development grant through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation fund.

The grant is for $212,000, and there was an additional matching amount of $37,000, which brings the total received to just under $250,000 to upgrade the recreation complex.

The first grant is for the initial phase, which calls for paving the roadway into the complex and curbing along the entire roadway, which is necessary because of drainage issues.

The other part of the grant includes a new parking area made of crushed stone, with room for about 100 vehicles.

A paved parking area will be added for accessibility, with trails that will lead from the handicapped area to the refreshment stand.

Barry said some improvements will be made to the refreshment stand. A covered patio will be added with the purchase of eight picnic tables, with two that are certified for use by the disabled.

Further projects will include a new full-sized Little League compliant field, and a walking trail throughout.

Barry said the project was started about four years ago before the pandemic.