LEWISTOWN — The Lewistown Borough Council met Monday to discuss current and upcoming Community Development Block Grant funds among other business.

Council members stated that 2025 block grant funds will be used to purchase turnout gear for the Lewistown Fire Department (Heritage Fire Co. and City Hook & Ladder).

Council President Matthew Moore clarified that self-contained breathing apparatuses have already been purchased with previous block grant funds, and the 2025 funds are for turnout gear.

Borough Treasurer Somer Weiss said the estimate from a quote for 30 sets of turnout gear is $137,490, which would require an additional $21,081. She added that this quote will expire soon and might increase in price.

Council will continue the discussion on how to fund the remaining cost of the gear.

The council will also begin the process to select a project for the 2026 block grant funds at 4:15 p.m. at its April 13 meeting.

Following the first Community Development Block Grant public hearing on April 13, the council must select and vote on a project by its June 8 meeting.

A representative of the Royale Dairy restoration committee later shared updates on the restoration project during the second public comment portion of the meeting.

Jake Thompson said the restoration committee is a non-profit while the businesses that set up shop in the building are for-profit. The committee plans to convert the building into a café, a bait/tackle shop with kayak rental and a gift shop.

Thompson said the committee aims to hold an event celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary on July 4.

He added that the ARM Group, an engineering and science group from State College, will inspect the building’s foundation this week to determine whether the committee can proceed with assessing the safety of the rest of the building.

Council members also:

• Approved an HVAC maintenance agreement from MGM Mechanical for the wastewater treatment plant;

• Approved to pay $70,478.60 for the Edgewater pump station upgrade while Derry Township pays 99,021.40. This upgrade involves updated variable frequency drives and computerized upgrades;

• Approved to pay $20,141.72 for the 10-8 emergency vehicle service — uplift the new police vehicle. This payment is for a codes vehicle;

• Approved to advertise a seasonal mowing position and pool staffing;

• Approved to replace the two dumpsters at the Mifflin County Middle School due to safety issues.