HOWLAND — Township officials are looking to make inroads in their long-range comprehensive plan’s need for sidewalks, as they authorized the pursuit of two grants.

At their Wednesday meeting, trustees authorized submitting the Transportation Alternatives Program grant application to the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, for the fiscal year 2029 to 2031, phase two and three Sidewalk Improvement Project, as separate resolutions.

The total estimated cost of phase two is $226,055, with a local committed share of $45,211, while phase three is $261,207, with a local committed share of $52,241.

Township Planning Director Kim Mascarella said the projects are part of a three-phase larger project to extend sidewalks from High Street all the way north, to connect with the North River Road sidewalk network.

Mascarella said Eastgate has a Transportation Alternatives Program, which they hope the two designated phases will get funded through.

“That program only comes around once every other year, so we’d like to strike while it’s in front of us,” Mascarella said. “Next February, we’ll apply for the larger section through their Safe Routes to School program.”

Mascarella said phase two affects approximately 1,400 feet of road, from Carriage Hill to King Graves Road, while phase three tackles 960 feet of road, from King Graves to North Road, including two signalized crosswalks.

“It’s doing the work for the community on behalf of the community’s desires. They want more sidewalks, so we looked into those grants,” Mascarella said.

Trustee Matthew Vansuch said if both applications are successful, it would be possible for a resident to reach Lowe’s on Niles Cortland Road and the township’s community garden on foot.

“I have to say, we did the community plan 16 years ago — I knew it would take time, but actually to be able to see some of the puzzle pieces be put together,” Vansuch said. “So many kids get down to the park and to the churches that are in that area, (a) heavily populated area.”

Trustee James LaPolla said it was brought to his attention that, because of the Kimberly-Clark project and some of the revenue it brings, they’re only putting a 20% match on the grants.

“This is already kind of paid for by new construction, new development within the township; it’s not really affecting, per se, property tax,” LaPolla said. “It’s going back in (to the community).”