Bridgton select board sets sidewalk impact fee at $55 per linear foot after extended debate

The Bridgton select board voted to set the sidewalk impact fee for new development at $55 per linear foot, adopting the revised fee schedule after an extended debate over methodology and cost estimates.

Board members debated several amendment proposals — including suggestions for $75 and $50 per linear foot — before adopting the $55 figure in a voice vote recorded in the minutes as four in favor and one opposed. The fee is part of the uniform fee ordinance that the select board and town voters amended in November 2024 and applies to sidewalks required for new construction rather than to replacement or reconstruction of existing sidewalks.

Why it matters: The board is collecting impact fees to allocate toward a multi‑phase sidewalk project the select‑board packet estimates at roughly $6.9 million in total, inclusive of procurement, design and construction. Board members said the fee is intended to make new development pay a proportional share of sidewalks required to serve that development.

During debate, a board member identified as Paul told colleagues he had called four local paving contractors and reported average contractor estimates of roughly $47.85 to $52.85 per linear foot (including the components the board discussed). Paul said the board’s prior working figure had been $37.50 per linear foot and that the discrepancy between contractor quotes and the ordinance figure prompted arguments about whether to raise the fee.

Opponents and supporters disagreed over whether the fee should be set higher now to reflect contractor pricing or kept lower for equity and to avoid deterring development. One board member cautioned that the ordinance’s methodology requires the town to secure 100% of the project cost before initiating sidewalk construction; others said the town can raise fees later if needed.

The motion adopted by the board adjusted only the fee schedule; members did not amend the underlying ordinance language at the meeting. Staff were directed to retain records on installed sidewalk linear footage, to refine cost estimates and to provide follow‑up information so the board (and future boards) can reassess fees if new data warrants a change.

Next steps: The town will track implementation, confirm the remaining linear footage to be built, and use those measurements and updated cost information to model future fee changes or to determine whether additional funding sources are necessary before beginning the larger sidewalk project.