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Waynetown resident files ADA complaint, urges sidewalk program as INDOT ramps appear noncompliant
Summary
David Meihls, a Waynetown resident and the town’s ADA consultant, told the council he filed a formal ADA complaint asking the town to adopt a sidewalk program and pressed INDOT about curb ramps that tie into noncompliant sidewalks. He estimated a sidewalk-inventory plan could cost under $10,000 and urged prioritizing routes used by low-income residents.
David Meihls, a Waynetown resident who serves as the town’s ADA consultant, told the Town Council on Aug. 13 that he has filed a formal complaint asking the town to develop a sidewalk program and to address numerous noncompliant curb ramps.
Meihls said the town received his complaint on June 10, 2025, he explained it at the July 9 council meeting, and he filed a parallel complaint with the Indiana Department of Transportation on July 25. He said INDOT plans to let curb‑ramp work on Jan. 16, 2026, but that the agency’s ramps currently “meet existing sidewalks that are out of compliance,” creating partial or noncontinuous accessible routes.
Why it matters: Meihls said the lack of accessible sidewalks forces people who use mobility devices into the street on several routes, concentrating risk for low‑income residents near US Highway 136. The town’s obligation is both to provide accessible routes and to maintain sidewalks INDOT hands over after projects are completed, the discussion showed.
Meihls urged the council to begin a sidewalk inventory program to document current conditions and prioritize repairs. He estimated a consultant-produced inventory could be “less than $10,000,” and suggested lower‑cost phone-based tools (he named a product, DeepWalk, as an example) and in‑house inspections as alternatives. “I should be able to leave my house and get to Town Hall without having to wheel my chair in the middle of the street,” Meihls said.
Council members pressed staff for next steps and costs. Clerk‑Treasurer Sandy Proctor confirmed the town must respond to Meihls’ formal grievance within 60 days of the July 9 meeting; Meihls said the 60‑day timeline puts a response window in early September. Council and staff discussed whether INDOT’s upcoming work would relieve the town of responsibility or simply transfer noncompliant sidewalks back to town maintenance once completed.
What’s next: Meihls said an INDOT project engineer who had already overseen ramp work would contact him in September after returning from leave. Council members asked staff to factor sidewalk priorities into upcoming grant and budget conversations, including Community Crossings funding windows and the 2026 budget timetable.
