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Selectmen decline Willow Street sidewalk removal; ask DPW to maintain existing sidewalks
Summary
The Milford Board of Selectmen voted to take no action on a resident request to remove short segments of sidewalk on Willow Street and instead directed residents to work with the Department of Public Works on maintenance concerns.
The Milford Board of Selectmen voted to take no action on a request to remove a short segment of sidewalks on Willow Street, leaving the sidewalks in place and directing residents to coordinate maintenance questions with the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The decision came after resident Jake Gingra told the board the sidewalks narrow the street and are infrequently used, especially in winter, and asked that the town remove them to ease parking and plowing. Gingra said the sidewalks were “not even a tenth of a mile” and that removal would avoid taxpayer cost for upkeep.
Director Leo Lessard, of the Department of Public Works, provided measurements showing the roadway and sidewalk geometry. Lessard said the road width from curb to pavement edge is about 20.6 feet, the sidewalked length is about 57 feet, and the non‑sidewalked length is about 86 feet. He opposed removal and noted the granite curbing and existing sidewalk condition appeared in good shape; he added sidewalks are likely part of a future school route connection to Oak Street.
Board members debated maintenance and long‑term value. Some members said retaining sidewalks preserves future pedestrian options; others said more consistent winter clearing is needed. Selectman (unnamed in transcript) moved that the board not send the matter to the Traffic Safety Committee and effectively to take no further action on removing the sidewalks; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board asked that residents contact DPW if sidewalks are missed after storms. Lessard said DPW maintains sidewalks on school routes during storms and follows up after storms on other sidewalks when feasible. The board also said it will continue to consider sidewalk network planning in future budgets and recommended residents raise persistent maintenance concerns directly with DPW.
Ending: The board recorded the motion as carried and closed the Willow Street discussion. Residents were advised to contact DPW for missed sidewalk clearing and to expect the issue to remain on the town’s sidewalk planning radar for future budgets.
