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Village of Fredonia adopts new sidewalk policy splitting replacement costs with property owners
Summary
The Village Board approved a revised sidewalk policy that sets village-initiated sidewalk replacement at a 50/50 cost split with property owners and allows private owners to hire licensed contractors with public works director approval; trustees debated right-of-way and liability before the voice vote carried.
The Village Board of Fredonia voted to approve a revised sidewalk policy on Aug. 6 that establishes cost responsibility when the village initiates sidewalk replacement and sets procedures for new sidewalk installation.
Administrator Jenkins reviewed the changes, telling the board the policy clarifies the difference between village-initiated replacement and new installations and proposes that "50% of it would be the village, 50% would be the property owners" for village-initiated replacement. Jenkins said the policy also includes a mechanism to divide the property-owner share by lineal frontage when sidewalks affect multiple properties, and it ties the policy back to existing village ordinance chapter 4-91.
Trustees debated who ultimately bears responsibility for sidewalks, with several expressing concern about the practical implications for property owners and liability. One trustee questioned whether a property owner could be responsible for a sidewalk even if the physical sidewalk sits in the public right-of-way; administrators confirmed most sidewalks are on right-of-way but often maintained by adjacent property owners. The policy also contains a provision allowing private property owners to choose a licensed contractor for repair or replacement subject to approval by the director of public works.
Trustee (speaker 9) moved to approve the Village of Fredonia sidewalk policy; Trustee (speaker 6) seconded. After brief additional discussion the board voted by voice; the motion carried. The board observed an approximate 6–1 vocal count during the roll call discussion.
The change shifts some replacement costs to property owners in many cases while leaving the village responsible for new sidewalk installations and for developers to install sidewalks on new development. The policy is intended to provide a clearer, consistent framework for special assessments and future projects.
Next steps: the policy will be implemented according to the ordinance references in the packet, and staff indicated they will return any special-assessment proposals to the board for approval before collection.
