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Watertown council narrowly approves sidewalk assessment resolution after hours-long debate over trees
Summary
After extended public testimony about marked boulevard trees and debate over sidewalk width and assessments, the City Council approved a resolution of necessity to initiate sidewalk assessments for the 5th Avenue North reconstruction project. Council asked staff to explore design changes to save trees where feasible.
The Watertown City Council voted to approve a resolution of necessity on March 16 to begin assessments for sidewalk improvements linked to the 2026 Neighborhood Street Reconstruction project on 5th Avenue North.
City Engineer Justin Peterson said the resolution starts the assessment process and that property owners would later be given the option to pay up front or have the cost placed on tax rolls. "The resolution of necessity is the first step to for sidewalk to be assessed," Peterson told the council as he outlined the project and an estimated homeowner assessment of about $9.86 per linear foot (the city pays a larger share of the total cost).
The public hearing drew several residents who asked…
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