Commissioners approve process to replace Riders Lane sidewalk after debate over cost and ownership

President Rontkowski presided over a motion to proceed with repairs to the Riders Lane sidewalk after Commissioner Brett Hankins moved to advance scope work.

The motion generated detailed questions from commissioners about cost estimates and property-owner responsibility. Commissioner Brett Hankins described the project scope and at one point said, "It's approximately $1,111,500 dollars." Solicitor Mike clarified legal responsibility: "Those sidewalks under Pennsylvania law are, duly owned. They're with them the right of way. The plan owner has a primary responsibility for them." The board discussed whether multiple quotes had been obtained and whether a written agreement should require homeowners to reimburse the township if they later leave; staff said the homeowner would be responsible for future repairs and that the homeowner had already hired a contractor to install a post-and-rail fence.

Members pressed staff on what the township would and would not accept in agreement language, specifically that the township does not want to assume long-term liability for a sidewalk failure that predated recent changes. Commissioners also discussed trimming overhanging vegetation and whether enforcement had been applied to other property owners along the stream.

After discussion and a second, the chair called a voice vote and the motion to proceed with the replacement process carried. The motion language and engineering scope will inform the contract phase; the board did not record a detailed roll-call vote or list of bidder proposals in the transcript.

The next procedural step is for staff and the engineer to prepare the scope and contract documents and return to the board with vendor quotes and a proposed maintenance/reimbursement agreement.