Village weighs cost options for upcoming sidewalk work

The Village of Fredonia Public Works Committee prepared payment options for upcoming sidewalk projects during its Thursday, June 28, meeting.

The committee is seeking to make an official funding policy for filling in and constructing sidewalks at North Milwaukee and North Wilson streets. 

“This will set a precedent for how we move forward with these types of projects,” Public Works Committee Chairman Joshua Haas said.

The committee recommended two payment options that will be presented to the Village Board on Thursday, July 5.

The first option calls for the village and homeowner or developer to share equally in the cost, while the second option would leave the cost to the homeowner and developer for any new sidewalks constructed on their property.

According to Director of Public Works Roger Strohm, the cost for a 60-foot-long sidewalk is about $1,500. 

The village has set aside approximately $80,000 in its general fund for 3,000 feet of sidewalks this year but wants to have a consistent funding mechanism for future projects.

The village currently does not have an existing policy for funding sidewalk construction.

“It’s been a verbal policy in the past,” Strohm said.

Village officials said it is not uncommon for homeowners to pay for sidewalks in other municipalities. But with the sidewalk project looming, officials are concerned that residents living on fixed incomes or those owning more than one lot would face financial hardships to cover the cost.

The village also wants to insure that students who live a quarter-mile from school would be able to walk to class.

“Some students who have the school in their back yard have to walk a long way to get there by sidewalk,” Strohm said.

“This is a safety issue.”

According to Trustee John Long, residents and developers are allowed to install their own sidewalk as long as it complies with village requirements.