Council backs pedestrian-pathway proposal on South Mary Street, with no winter maintenance

Matt presented months of Planning Commission discussion on building a pedestrian pathway on the west side of South Mary Street between a nearby gas station and the Dairy Queen, saying staff, county representatives and PennDOT had reviewed the concept and raised no major preliminary objections. He said the commission discussed placement away from the road, maintenance and liability and emphasized this first segment is likely the most difficult because of slope and embankment conditions.

When asked who would be responsible for snow removal, Matt said the commission's current approach is to label the facility a "pedestrian path" rather than a "sidewalk," and that the plan as proposed would not include winter maintenance: "What the Planning Commission has, I guess, construed is that we're not gonna call them sidewalks... and at this time, hopefully following, you know, those that definition is that there will be no winter maintenance." Council members asked about future extensions and proximity to the guide rail; a motion to support the pathway proposal passed.

Staff will continue design work and, if council continues to support the concept, will move toward design specifications and cost estimates for later approval.