Select Board standardizes sidewalk language; sets sidewalk ordinance for public hearing

The Wolfeboro Select Board voted July 19 to make the sidewalk ordinance internally consistent by standardizing all references to the town’s minimum clear sidewalk width at 50 inches and to send the revised ordinance to a public hearing. Board members and staff said the change aligns language in two ordinance sections and reduces ambiguity when enforcing sidewalk clearances. The board discussed whether the standard should be 50 inches or five feet; committee drafts and prior work had settled on 50 inches as the minimum clear width to be consistent with ADA guidance and the ad hoc sidewalk committee’s prior work. The board also discussed cross‑references to the town’s signage ordinance and asked staff to reference the sign code by article rather than repeating sign language, to keep the two ordinances synchronized. The board approved the motion to harmonize wording and to schedule the public hearing; staff will post the revised ordinance and notify owners of town sidewalks to give affected businesses and residents an opportunity to comment.