Getting Heard, Step by Step

Laszlo Papp, Chairman of Planning and Zoning, and Mark DeWaele, Chairman of Town Council are to be commended.  Although a public hearing on the sidewalk plan was not on the agenda for the May meeting, Mr. Papp allowed several residents of lower Main Street to speak out about their initial concerns, in particular the worry about the responsibility of abutting property owners for ongoing maintenance and the potential liability associated with the sidewalks. Three residents expressed concerns, and one (a resident of the east side of Main Street) said he was in favor of the sidewalks.

Dr. DeWaele invited Tiger Mann, Senior Engineer with the Town’s Public Works Department, to present the plan for the sidewalks at the Council’s June meeting and opened the floor for residents to voice their concerns.  Town Council members agreed to review the relevant sections of the Town Code (chapter 54-III) about the responsibility and liability for sidewalks, and a meeting of the Ordinance Committee has been scheduled for 4 pm on Wednesday, July 2 in the Board Room at Town Hall.

Residents of the west side of lower Main Street expressed a variety of additional concerns about the wisdom and safety of the proposed project. One gentleman observed that he had initially been in favor of the sidewalks, but after listening to his neighbors, he now opposed the project.  A property owner abutting the proposed South Avenue sidewalk extension also had questions.

Residents also wondered about the possibility that a future Town Council might reinstate maintenance responsibilities.

Tags: main street, New Canaan, sidewalks, town boards and commissions