Village to pick up tab for Washington Ave. sidewalks

The Fredonia Village Board this month agreed to pay the full cost of replacing sidewalk along Washington Avenue instead of charging property owners.

The decision represents a departure from the special assessment residents were charged in 2021 for sidewalk replacement, when the cost was split between the property owners and the village.

Trustee DJ Syring suggested the village pay for the full cost of sidewalk replacement at the April 2 board meeting.

“My opinion is if the village wants to have sidewalks on one side of the street, then the village can cover the cost of installing those sidewalks. It will be shared among all of the taxpayers who are all equally sharing those sidewalks as well,” he said.

“Even if I don’t live up on this street, I might take my dogs and family for a walk there.”

Resident Anne Redmond reminded the board that Wilson Street residents had to pay for sidewalks in 2021.

“You may have a riot on your hands,” she said. “If you give different treatment to other residents than what was done on Washington Street, that’s unfair. Keep that in mind.”

Redmond lives on Wilson Street and wasn’t assessed any fees, but some of her neighbors had to pay several thousands of dollars. Village Treasurer Julie Upson said some residents are still paying off their bills.

Trustee Jessica Franck agreed with Redmond.

“There is a precedent we already established with previous road repair,” she said.

Trustee Shane Van Roo disagreed.

“Just because it was handled a different way last time doesn’t mean we can’t reset the precedent,” he said.

Village administration didn’t have examples of how assessments were handled before 2021.

Trustee Richard Abegglen was the only elected official on the board in 2021. Some trustees wanted residents to pay for the full cost of sidewalk replacement. The 50-50 split, he said, was a compromise.

Village President Peter Lenz said he is OK with the village paying for everything “and not passing it onto the homeowner who didn’t plan for having their road torn up this week.

“I do understand where Anne’s coming from and I certainly would not fault any of the residents of the village who are still paying for that Wilson street build to show up at the public comment and give us hell.”

The board turned down a resolution assessing the residents 50% of the cost, 4-1. Franck voted for the resolution. Natalie Eippert was absent.

Village Administrator Christophe Jenkins suggested the board develop a sidewalk policy so “we have a standard to fall back on.”