Rick Comfort, a resident of Little Mill, addressed the committee with concerns about sidewalk condition and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance in his neighborhood.

Comfort told the committee that many neighbors are elderly and use walkers and mobility devices, and that damaged sidewalks and missing tactile (truncated dome) pads at curb ramps force people into the street. He said residents had assumed sidewalks were common property but that his research suggested the sidewalks are in the municipality’s right of way and therefore municipal responsibility. “It’s an ADA compliance issue,” Comfort said, and he asked the township to review who is responsible for installation and maintenance and to consider installing the tactile pads where ramps exist.

The mayor asked the township solicitor to review the matter; the solicitor said he had not previously researched the issue and asked Comfort to forward any background materials he had found. The solicitor and staff agreed to review the documentation and to follow up with the resident.

Why it matters: The condition of sidewalks, curb ramps and tactile warning surfaces affects the safety and mobility of visually impaired residents and people who use walkers or wheelchairs. The resident asked for clarity on municipal responsibility and risk to vulnerable pedestrians.

Next steps: The solicitor requested that the resident submit the materials he collected; the solicitor will research state and municipal responsibilities and report back to the committee with findings and options for remediation or policy clarification.