(4/1) The sidewalks across Walkersville may be getting a face-lift. At its February 23 meeting, the Town Council discussed the possibility of bringing sidewalks around the town up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
The Town Council agreed to receive estimates for studies to be conducted to determine the best way to repair the sidewalks as well as the "hot spots" in the town that need immediate attention.
Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis brought up the issue because she has been receiving emails from Glade Towne Community residents about the uneven and cracked sidewalks. This led to the discussion about replacing sidewalks town wide, which would also include ramps at curbs that are ADA compliant.
Town Manager Sean William suggested getting a study done by a third party to decide which sidewalks are in the worst condition, but also to see which are most used to determine where priority should be given. Williams got the idea for the study after speaking with the Emmitsburg’s town manager where ADA ramps were installed last year with grant money.
Emmitsburg was able to do the repairs after conducting several studies and using those findings to support their applications for grants. By hiring an outside company to conduct the same studies to determine sidewalk needs, Walkersville will likewise have the evidence to apply for the same grants, Williams said.
The studies will be beneficial because the third-party company will be unbiased when it comes time to decide which roads and sidewalks are in most need of repair or most traveled and should be worked on first, he said.
Williams also believes it will be easier to explain to citizens the reasoning behind the order of repairs when a third party is involved. Williams did not give the Council an estimate on what he thought the study would cost. Emmitsburg spent $700,000 just to bring 117 curb-ramps up to ADA standards.
Brodie-Ennis also brought up the issue of sidewalk damage caused by trees from a citizen’s property, which would be the homeowner’s responsibility to fix according to current town code. If a tree from a citizen’s yard is damaging a sidewalk that would technically be the homeowner’s responsibility to fix and pay for. This would not extend to road repairs due to tree growth, which is the town’s responsibility.
Burgess Weddle re-enforced that citizens can and should continue to call in any code issues, especially regarding sidewalks and roads, to the Town staff so the town can look into them in a timely manner.
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