Responsibility and Liabilities Come with New Sidewalks

Several homeowners with properties abutting the proposed new sidewalks have expressed concerns about thier:

• responsibilty for maintenance, upkeep and repair of the sidewalks, including removal of snow and ice during the winter to create “safe passageway,” and
• potential liability in the event someone is injured on the sidewalk.

The Town Code transfers certain responsibilities – and potentially risk exposure to liability – to abutting property owners.  Connecticut State Statutes permit the Town to do so; municipalities in the state have handled this in varying ways, and there is some case precedent.  Search http://www.ct.gov using [sidewalks “property owners” liability] for some relevant information.

Although we have not yet heard this discussed, the Town Code also notes that the Town shall bill abutting property owners for the cost of constructing the sidewalks. We do not know the status of this, but bring it to your attention.

We strongly suggest that abutting property owners review the Town Code – Click on Chapter 54 and scroll down to Section III: Construction and Maintenance of Sidewalks.

Tags: liability, responsibility, sidewalks, snow removal, Town Code