PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
JULY 15, 2002
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:30 P.M.
PURPOSE: TO RECEIVE CITIZEN INPUT ON A SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO INSTALL SIDEWALKS ON AYERS ROAD FROM NEVERS ROAD TO SULLIVAN AVENUE, AND ON NEVERS ROAD FROM AYERS ROAD TO COLLINS CROSSING.
The Public Hearing was called to order at 7:30 p.m. There were two individuals present in the audience. The Clerk of the Council read the Call of the Meeting (copy attached).
Council Members Present:
Mayor William Aman
Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Marianne Lassman Fisher
Councillor John Pelkey
Also present:
Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry D. Guliano
The Town Manager explained that the area involved that section along Nevers Road, up to the entrance of the park, running along the park, crossing over to the opening of the High School parking area and down to Wapping School. He said that the staff attempted to stay with Town property because of previous resistance from residents regarding sidewalks on their side of the street. The question had arisen this morning, he said, concerning additional sidewalks on the side of the practice football field. He explained that there are utility poles which would have to be moved, and further examination would have to be done if that area was included.
Minutes
Public Hearing Re: Sidewalks on Ayers Road from Nevers Road to Sullivan Avenue and on Nevers Road from Ayers Road to Collins Crossing
Page 2
July 15, 2002
Mr. Galligan said that staff did not look at the area from Nevers Road down to Collins Crossing at this time because nothing is currently being done with the 11 acres there.
Roy Normen, Homestead Drive, although in favor of the proposal, indicated his disappointment that the sidewalk was not extended so that it would be connected to future sidewalks up the side roads. He advocated eliminating two requirements in the sidewalk ordinance—one being that property owners are required to repair the sidewalks in front of their property; the other being that if the Town installs sidewalks there, the property owner is required to contribute.
Councillor Pelkey, asked if there was a cost analysis of extending the sidewalk beyond Wapping School to Sullivan Avenue. Mr. Galligan said that there are sidewalks on Graham Road down to Sullivan and to be consistent, it should go all the way up Graham Road to the Ayers Road complex. That would involve about 15 homeowners, and it was his understanding from past discussions that the homeowners did not want sidewalks.
Mayor Aman, referring to Mr. Normen’s comments about the sidewalk ordinance, asked Mr. Galligan to have Town staff prepare a comparison of South Windsor with other communities as well as information previously gathered and submit that information to the Council. He suggested that this might be a topic for further discussion at a Work Session in the fall.
Noting that there is a State statute concerning sidewalks, Atty. Guliano said that he would check the statute. He did explain that homeowners are required to remove snow from the sidewalks; and, if someone is injured as a result of poor maintenance of the sidewalks or icy conditions, the homeowner would be liable and homeowner’s insurance would cover it.
Mayor Aman asked for a Straw Vote, the results of which were as follows:
Those in favor of the sidewalk project – 1
Those opposed to the sidewalk project – 0
Minutes
Public Hearing Re: Sidewalks on Ayers Road from Nevers Road to Sullivan Avenue and on Nevers Road from Ayers Road to Collins Crossing
Page 3
July 15, 2002
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merlyn P. Guild
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
Attachment
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