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Residents urge ADA enforcement and restored housing repair funds during Warren budget public hearing
Summary
During a Jan. 14 public hearing on the FY25‑26 budget schedule, the council read a letter from Joyce Katzburg asking for sidewalk ADA enforcement, tree pruning, snow removal, and restoration of affordable housing repair grants.
During a public hearing at the Warren Town Council meeting on Jan. 14, council vice president Carrie Cronin read a written public comment from resident Joyce Katzburg urging the council to allocate budget funds for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforcement, sidewalk maintenance, and affordable housing repair assistance.
Cronin read Katzburg’s letter into the record. Katzburg wrote that downtown sidewalks are obstructed by outdoor café seating and sandwich‑board signs, that trees need pruning and removal before they injure pedestrians, and that electric bicycles on sidewalks increase hazards. She also said some shopkeepers on Main, Water and Market streets do not keep up with snow and ice removal, creating hazardous conditions for people with mobility impairments. Katzburg requested restoration of funds previously allocated for affordable housing repairs and repair grants to help low‑income owners comply with lead‑abatement rules.
Cronin told the council the dates and start time for budget hearings would be 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 19 and March 26; the council approved those dates and the start time. After the letter reading the council invited public comment; no one came forward. Members later closed the public hearing by voice vote.
Why it matters: Katzburg’s written comments raise access, public‑safety and housing affordability issues that could be considered when staff propose the FY25‑26 budget. The council scheduled the public budget hearings and encouraged residents to participate.
What’s next: The council will hold public budget hearings on the approved dates and will receive public testimony and staff proposals in the budget process.
