PUBLIC HEARING 3/7/05 - Sidewalks!

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
New Sidewalk Installation
Monday, March 7, 2005
7:00 PM – Town Hall – Council Chambers

The Wethersfield Town Council is inviting all residents to a Public Hearing on Monday, March 7, 2005 at 7 pm in the Town Hall to discuss what portion of the costs of installing new sidewalks should be assessed upon abutting property owners for sidewalks in the following areas:

• Mapleside Drive, west side, Wells Road to Dale Road
  
• Emerson Williams Parking Lot, complete gap
  
• Willow Street, west side, complete gap
  
• Two Rod Highway, Old Reservoir Road to Highland Street

Last November, voters approved a bond ordinance appropriating $2,920,000 for certain road and sidewalk improvements. The ordinance that was approved stated that “The Town Council is authorized to determine the scope and particulars of the project.” The ordinance was silent as to the obligation of the abutting property owner to pay any portion of the cost of sidewalk installation. However, the explanatory text for the ballot question said that property owners adjacent to these new sidewalks will pay 50% of the cost. The Town Council is now considering what portion, if any, of the cost of installing new sidewalks should be assessed to the abutting property owners in accordance with the provisions of Sections 139-5 et seq. of the Code of the Town of Wethersfield.

All residents are invited to attend the hearing and give their opinions to the Town Council.

Town Manager’s Office
[phone]

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

(I have already submitted these comments via the Town's website on the page regarding agenda comments (and you can too!): wethersfieldct.com/clerk/agenda.shtml

Comments at Public Hearing and Meeting of Town Council: 3.7.2005
Town of Wethersfield
RE: Assessment of sidewalks' costs to abutting property owners
by
Dr.Ken Sokolowski

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To the members of the Town Council and the Town Manager,
Good evening, all:

Do ALL of the taxpayers of Wethersfield have children in our school system; of course not!.
* Some do.
* Some did.
* Some didn't, and
* Some never will have kids in our school system.

Yet, as a society, we have said that supporting the public school system is an obligation which should be and shall be equitably spread across the entire populace.

The same consideration and treatment should be given to the question of sidewalks.

Are the sidewalks in town for the exclusive use of the abutting property owners.
Of course not!
Having been built on Town property, the sidewalks ARE Town property.

To so charge any abutting property owner, especially in residential zones, is discriminatory and unfair:
The sidewalks are there for the public at large!

To so charge residential property owners, for the installation or repair of the abutting, Town's sidewalks is tantamount and equivalent to charging them for a pro-rated share of the upkeep of the Town road or street serving their properties.
No, the cost to install and repair the Town streets is spread fairly to all Wethersfield taxpayers.

So - I urge you to eliminate any and all such unfair practices of accessing an individual, residential property owner - the direct and discriminatory cost for the installation and repair of a Town sidewalk.

* If such a discriminatory practice is currently mandatory, then I urge you: work to repeal that portion of the Town Code or ordinances.
* If such a discriminatory practice is currently optional, then I urge you: ignore it NOW to the relief of the residential property owners.
* If such a discriminatory practice is currently at the discretion of the Town, then I urge you: work to remove that option by appropriate means as soon as possible.

Council members, it's time for you to do what is right for all residential property owners in Wethersfield by saying loudly, clearly and in one voice:

There shall be absolutely NO such direct, discriminatory sidewalk assessment - now and in the future.

Thank-you.