Elizabeth Rosencrans, with the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, appeared before Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council to announce the township was awarded a grant in the amount of $693,700 for its section of trail.

The award comes from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation and Partnership Program Grant. The funds were drawn down from a $3 million award already allocated by the DCNR to the Lehigh Valley.

A separate award of $960,ooo was awarded to the D&L organization for the trail outside of Hanover Township.

DCNR’s original commitment was first announced in November 2022 and was the largest funding announcement for the D&L National Heritage Corridor to date – bringing in a total of $7 million to Lehigh County.

This $693,700 will cover half of the estimated project cost to rehabilitate the existing trail within Hanover Township’s Canal Park and develop a new connection south of the park to St. Luke’s Center.

Rosencrans said the DCNR grant awards “are the first fruits of the 2022 allocation” and that there are more funds to be expected, thanks to former state Sen. Pat Browne.

Construction on the projects may take several years, but the funds are the start of a “major joint effort” between the township, city of Allentown, Lehigh County and the DLNHC to close the gaps within the D&L Trail.

She also mentioned the township is still a contender for the Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Program’s grant that will also go to supporting the design, engineering and construction of the gap within the trail.

The DCED multimodal transportation grant was supposed to be announced in November 2022, but was pushed to March of this year. If awarded, the township would be allocated $1.4 million toward the D&L Trail project. More information on the grant is to come.

In other business, council Chairman Bruce Paulus held a moment of silence for former township employee, retired Master Sgt. Corey A. Sands Jr., who recently died at the age of 95.

Sands was a former code enforcement officer, board member of the recreation committee, council member and director of civil defense with the township. Paulus mentioned his significant work with Sherwood Park before the room took a moment to mourn the late township official.

The meeting moved forward with a report from township Manager Melissa Wehr, who requested council gather for a meeting with the township attorney to discuss the River Central plan, as representatives for the project will be appearing before council in weeks to come.

She mentioned the representatives have already met with the planning commission and everything seems to be moving forward. She said she would like council to be prepared and well-versed with the material.

In the engineer’s report, Al Kortze reported the Allendale sewer project is moving along with the lining of manholes, pressure testing and air testing. Restoration is expected to begin in the spring. He said about 90 percent of the work is completed and he does not expect any further delays.

In other construction news, the Catasauqua Road Valley Plaza project bids have been delayed until the next council meeting Feb. 1. There should not be any further delays with the opening of bids.

The meeting closed with the appointment of Stephanie Murray to the Hanover Township Recreation Commission. She currently serves on the planning commission, and council fully supported the resolution to add Murray to the recreation commission.