Council directs policy change and MOU framework to allow long‑term Bridal Crosswalk installations

Councilors considered making a temporary Bridal Crosswalk installation permanent. Kate Trask (staff) said the applicant would be responsible for maintenance and staff recommended using a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to define obligations. Trask told council the policy would need to be updated to define long‑term or permanent installations and to address maintenance terms.

Council discussed whether the change should be a one‑off exception or a policy revision applying to all sponsors. The town attorney advised council that approving modifications to public property is within the council's discretion and that there is no absolute right to a crosswalk; legal exposure would depend on the specific claims a challenger might assert.

Council directed staff to revise the town's temporary installation policy to accommodate long‑term/permanent crosswalk options, to draft an MOU clarifying maintenance terms and duration (the MOU term can vary by sponsor), and to return the item for council consideration on the next meeting agenda. Staff said the MOU could include terms similar to those used for public‑art agreements and could allow town removal after a sponsor fails to maintain the installation.