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NEW CANAAN, Conn. The New Canaan Town Council closed the books on years of debate Wednesday, voting to install sidewalks on the west portion of southern Main Street.
Eight council members voted for walkways on the west side of the towns main thoroughfare between Farm Road and Oak Street.
They said it made the best sense for the safety of pedestrians. Ive struggled with this issue back and forth, said Councilman Steve Karl. Given safety and all Im looking at, Id say it is the west side.
The new sidewalks will complete a loop between Cherry Street and Farm Road, an option sidewalk proponents have sought in part for the children who walk to the three schools near the intersection of South Avenue and Farm Road.
For me, its been about safety, said Council Chairman Mark DeWaele. Sidewalk supporters applauded after council members gave their opinions.
Councilmen Paul Foley and John Emert voted against installation of walkways on either side of Main Street, citing the cost of the project. We have safety concerns, but there are a lot of safety concerns on a lot of roads, Foley said.
Councilwoman Christine Hussey, a resident of Main Street, abstained. There were no votes for sidewalks on the east side of Main Street.
The Board of Selectmen will have to vote to award the contract, Assistant Public Works Director Tiger Mann said. A&J Construction offered the lowest bids, $935,000 for the west side and $930,000 for the east side.
Construction could begin in March, Mann said. The sidewalks will be part of a $4 million road repair bond that was approved last spring. Residents rejected a referendum last April that would have overturned the bonding request.
Opponents wanted the installation delayed, saying public works should focus on fixing streets that are in poor condition. Some also suggested Main Street is not wide enough for sidewalks and that the project would make driving more difficult.
Karen Mackle, one of the more vocal sidewalk opponents, worried that sidewalks would lower the value of her home.
You can reach Melvin Mason at mmason@thedailynewcanaan.com.
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