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Residents press Hempstead on sidewalk repairs; highways commissioner says homeowners bear cost
Summary
Residents questioned how sidewalk replacements are prioritized and how the town vets contractors; Commissioner of Highways Finizzi said homeowners must obtain permits, the town has contract options and unpaid work can be billed to property tax rolls.
Several residents at the March 10 Hempstead Town Board meeting raised concerns about damaged sidewalks, contractor vetting and the financial burden on homeowners.
"What is your plan? Do these people need to apply for a building permit to correct the sidewalks?" asked Lynn Krug of Garden City. Commissioner of Highways Finizzi replied: "It's the homeowner's responsibility to take care of the sidewalks in front of their homes, and they would come to the highway office and take out a permit to replace slabs in front of their home." He added the town maintains a contractor list and that the town can arrange replacement and place the cost on the homeowner's tax bill if repairs are not completed.
Residents asked whether the town keeps a vetted list of contractors and how the town monitors that work. Krug and other commenters said rising taxes and costs make it difficult for homeowners to pay for repairs and suggested programs to assist low-income residents. Finizzi said the town has contractors that will perform sidewalk replacement under standard pricing and that the work can be added to tax bills if necessary. He said replacement requests are typically initiated by calls from neighbors rather than proactive inspections.
Residents also urged the town to restore tree-planting programs and select tree species whose roots are less likely to heave sidewalks. The board said department staff would follow up with residents about specific locations and process details.
