Town to assume responsibly for sidewalks

(12/10) At the December Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held to address the Town assuming responsibility for all sidewalk maintenance.

The Town’s previous sidewalk ordinance held a property owner fully responsible for any sidewalk repairs. Due to issues with matching the sidewalks and curbs to the new road during the Maple Avenue project, the Town assumed financial responsibility for replacing all the sidewalks involved in the project. Striving to be fair to all town residents, the Council created a new ordinance naming the Town the responsibility party for all sidewalks within town limits.

The revised ordinance includes official definitions of a hazardous sidewalk, thus changing the previous allowable tilt to a sidewalk pad from 1.5 inches to ¾ of an inch and how the town would hold a property owner responsible for any damage due to their negligence. In the event damage is caused by tree roots or limbs, the resident will have 90 days to remediate the tree and then they will get a one-time 100% free sidewalk replacement. If the property owner refuses to take care of the tree the town will do it at the property owner's cost and charge them for the sidewalk replacement. If the property owner then refuses to pay for the work, a line will be placed on the property. Any further damage that comes from trees is paid for by the owner.

Another suggestion made by Commissioner Tom Gilbert concerned sidewalk shaving. This process uses a machine that will shave the concrete down to match the level of the surrounding area. "It is a simple and cost-effective way to remove trip hazards immediately and defers the need to replace the entire pad," said Gilbert. Commissioner Mike McNiesh agreed, suggesting they investigate the cost of the shaving machine and compare it to the replacement of an entire pad.

Gilbert commended the Town for taking on sidewalk the responsibility of sidewalk maintenance and replacement. "There are residents in town that have been paying taxes for 70 years and that money hasn't been used." The funds for the sidewalk repairs could come from the town's capital surplus accounts which are paid through taxes. Town Manager Sean Williams anticipates $250,000 a year for sidewalk repairs.

The Town plans to replace a portion of the Town’s sidewalk every year, starting with the worst spots. This allows the most hazardous portions to be replaced immediately without overextending the sidewalk repair funds. Williams said, "In terms of when they could start, he would defer to public works staff as that is their expertise." The motion was passed unanimously.