Board approves sidewalk cost-sharing policy

Fredonia will pay for half the cost of future sidewalk replacements, according to a policy the Village Board approved this month.

The policy for village-initiated sidewalk replacement calls for splitting the cost between the village and the property owners, including those on both sides of the street even when sidewalk is only being installed on one side.

The village will pay for all of new sidewalk installation, and developers will pay for all new sidewalks in any new or redeveloped properties.

In addition, property owners may choose their own licensed contractors per approval of the Public Works Director.

The policy passed, 6-1, with Trustee Eric Stowe voting against.

“For me it’s more of a (question of) who owns it. I can’t get off the opinion that it’s the property owner and it’s their responsibility for it,” Stowe said.

“I’m an advocate that everything on that land is the property owner’s responsibility to take care of.”

Trustee Jessica Franck brought up the issue of right-of-way.

“I know I don’t have sidewalk in front of my house, but technically our property line starts at the junction box, and that’s another good 10 to 15 feet before the side of the road,” she said. “So when the village comes to put sidewalk in front of my house, technically, I don’t own that property. It’s right-of-way. I care for that property. We mow it because obviously we want to have a nice yard.”

Trustee DJ Syring called the policy a “pretty good balanced approach.”

Village President Peter Lenz said having the village pay for half of village-initiated sidewalks “seems like a fair compromise for me,” although he acknowledged it might be a hard sell to the property owner across the street to pay for sidewalk not in front of his house.

The policy is more resident-friendly than in most area municipalities.

In Belgium, property owners pay to maintain and repair sidewalks adjoining their property, as well as any new sidewalks the village chooses to install.

In Saukville, the village pays for routine sidewalk maintenance while construction and reconstruction is paid for by the abutting property owner. Sidewalk removal and replacement is also covered by the property owner.

In Newburg, property owners pay to maintain sidewalks, as well as for new sidewalks.

In Oostburg, property owners are generally responsible for sidewalk maintenance, but village-initiated repair and replacement costs are evenly split between the village and property owner.

Developing the policy came about after the board in April decided to pay to replace sidewalks on Washington Street.

Trustee Anne Redmond at the time reminded the board that residents on Wilson Street had to pay for their sidewalks in 2021.

At this month’s meeting, she asked if the policy could be changed in the future. Village Administrator Christophe Jenkins said it could.