The discussion of whether to install sidewalks on the south end of Main Street will continue next week after a Town Council subcommittee agreed to advance the concept.
Members of the Town Councils public works subcommittee voted Tuesday to recommend approval of a project to pave Main Street as well as build sidewalks on the towns main thoroughfare between Oak Street and Farm Road. The vote was 4-1 with only chairman Paul Foley voting no. The vote, Foley said, allows the Town Council to take up the controversial sidewalk project at its next meeting March 16.
According to Assistant Public Works Director Tiger Mann, paving Main Street would cost $525,000. Installing sidewalks to the east side of Main Street would cost an additional $400,000, while building them on the west side would cost more than $393,000. With Tuesdays vote, the public works staff can come up with more precise drawings.
Residents living along or near Main Street have debated the merits of the sidewalks for at least two years. Proponents say they would encourage fitness and make it safer for pedestrians. Opponents say adding sidewalks would be too costly and would make travel in that area more difficult.
Town Councilwoman Beth Jones endorsed the sidewalks from an environmental standpoint, saying they would help reduce the towns carbon footprint. I think this is a great idea, she said, I think this is something that will pay off for a long, long time.
Steve Karl supported the project to get Main Street paved and said town officials have bent over backwards to get other work done timely and right.
Foley said he voted against the sidewalk project only because of the costs, though he supports paving Main Street, which is badly in need of repairs on its southern end. The cost issues are killing me here, he said.
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