LEWISTOWN — Derry Township expressed support for a grant that would improve safety for students while they walk or bicycle to school.

Mifflin County Planning Director James Lettiere on Monday asked Derry Township supervisors for a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that would aid the county in applying for a $1.45 million Safe Routes to School Grant for the first phase of the project.

This project would require the installation of 6-foot wide bike lanes and 5-foot wide sidewalks along western and eastern portions of Electric Avenue, from Ort Valley Road to the entrance of Kish Park.

The installation would create continuous sidewalks throughout the corridor that connects neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and the regional hospital.

Phase 1 of the project will encompass the eastern portion of Electric Avenue to Logan Boulevard, while Phase 2 will encompass the western portion of the corridor.

The cost of both phases is estimated to be about $2.6 million.

Lettiere suspects awards will be made in February or March of 2026 with an anticipated construction date in 2027-28.

The application for this funding is due Oct. 31.

One issue Lettiere presented was that the township would have to write an ordinance stating that homeowners and business owners would have 48 hours to remove snow from the sidewalks of their property.

Supervisors also:

• Approved two park-use applications for Kish Park: one for the Special Olympics Duck Derby to be held July 18, 2026, and another for the United Way Walk for Warmth to be held Feb. 7, 2026;

• Approved a three-year contract with Boyer & Ritter to perform a Township audit for 2026, 2027 and 2028;

• Approved October 2025 to September 2026 for the McClure Co. Maintenance Agreement in the amount of $7,982;

• Approved the use of the 2025 County Liquid Fuels account to purchase a blade for a skid loader in the amount of $6,175;

• Approved a recommendation from Derry Sewer Authority to appoint Todd Sheaffer to the Sewer Authority Board filling vacancy following the death of Murray Laite;

• Approved a reimbursement request in the amount of $17,646.71 for the Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant expenses.