Selectboard seeks clearer sidewalk maintenance schedule and master plan

Jessica Teets asked the Selectboard for a clearer, more transparent sidewalk maintenance schedule so residents can know when repairs or full replacements are planned for their stretches of sidewalk. She called the issue the "number one question she hears from residents" and proposed producing a performance-style report and a multi-year trend view to make patterns and needs easier to understand.

Public Works Foreman Eric Cota was noted as leading a ride-along with board members and staff to measure sidewalks — Joel Bouvier, Faust and Cota planned an 11:00 a.m. walk-through to mark sections needing trimming and spot repairs. Members discussed repair methods ranging from grinding raised panels to patch/ramp materials and the need to coordinate major sidewalk replacement with upcoming water-line projects (for example, West Pleasant Street) to avoid doing work twice. Kris Perlee suggested a headers-and-summary version of the budget-style report with full detail available on request; Chair Albinson noted the Town has a still-live Google map from a prior intern study that could serve as the base for updating and scheduling work.

Board members agreed to update the schedule and bring a proposed plan back, balancing continuous-street repairs with the need to coordinate with utility and water projects.