Bowmanstown Borough Council voted Tuesday to reapply for grant funding to support a walking trail project originally proposed in 2024.

Despite a rejection in the previous funding round, Councilwoman Kara Scott requested permission to try again, noting that the new application would “be the same” as the 2025 application.

Vice President Wendy Borger asked clarifying questions concerning the ongoing maintenance of a trail and the necessary permits required to build.

Because the initial grant application removed the suggestions of a pavilion and compost toilets, the area where the trail is located is “already maintained by the borough,” Scott said.

In 2024, council denied a request for the Bowmanstown Area Residents Connected to apply for a grant for a walking trail and park on a vacant lot.

In 2025, after council received information about funding, council voted to apply for a state Department of Economic and Community Development Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant in the amount of $250,000.

In other business, Loraine Neal thanked the council for its ongoing support of the Palmerton Area Library.

In a presentation, she stated that in “2025, 23,475 adults and 6, 159 children used the library,” and “43,864 were checked out.” Programming, which is open to all Bowmanstown residents, includes “story times, summer reading, and book clubs.”

Neal said that last year, “2,134 adults and 1,497 children enjoyed programming at the library.”

She also reported that there will be new programs like a Teen Club, Tech Club, a Cyber and Homeschool Club, and a Seniors Club. Neal, who just retired, said she is ready to join that seniors club.

Also at the meeting, the law committee discussed ordinances related to curbing and sidewalks, and Councilman Norman Engle Jr. suggested that “we might want to pull them apart” into two separate ordinances since “not all areas need sidewalks” but “most areas require curbs.”

The law committee will continue to discuss the issue.