HARMONY — The Harmony Trail may be paved later.

Jackson Township has applied for a state grant of about $240,000 to pave the trail with asphalt.

“The trail still has a stable limestone base, but the township and the borough are seeking to receive funding to pave the trail to at least a six-foot wide width,” township manager Chris Rearick said.

Harmony Borough Council President Greg Such wrote the township a letter of support for the grant application.

“It would be very beneficial,” Such said of the grant.

But some council members expressed concern at Tuesday evening’s meeting over maintenance and the use asphalt instead of gravel.

“I’m a little uncomfortable about turning it into asphalt,” said council member Dave Szakelyhidi. “Fresh gravel is what you run into with all the parks and trails.”

However other council members said the gravel washes away and erodes after heavy rain.

Such said more discussion will be needed to determine maintenance responsibilities.

The trail recently reopened after being closed to the public last summer due to property development.

“There are some areas that could use drainage improvements and minor reclamation,” Rearick said.

Although the trail runs through private property, the borough has a right of way agreement to use it.

Mayor Cathy Rape had concerns Tuesday on whether the right of way agreement would be affected by the grant. But Such said the letter of support is not an agreement.

Such, who also is a member of the recently formed Creekside Committee, said communications with the township are improving.

“It’s been reasonable,” he said.

Rearick said talks with the committee have been “frequent and productive.”

“It certainly resulted in this application,” he said.