Council discusses sidewalk priorities, ADA inventory and a block‑by‑block approach

Councilors spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing sidewalk priorities, funding and ADA obligations, seeking a plan for next steps and specific segments to target.

Members debated two approaches: continuing a worst‑to‑best replacement plan or concentrating resources to complete linked segments that create continuous pedestrian routes (for example on Indiana or Broadway). Council discussed available budget figures (members referenced past budgets of $10,000–$20,000 set aside for sidewalks and an indicated possibility of one block to one and a quarter blocks per current funding levels). Members asked colleagues to walk/drive their wards and bring two or three priority sidewalk segments to the next meeting.

Staff reminded the council that the ADA sidewalk inventory requires the town to replace existing sidewalks rather than remove them; members asked that staff print updated graded segment pages from the inventory study to include in the planning book. The council discussed coordinating sidewalk replacements with paving projects where feasible.

No formal action was taken on specific segments or contracts at this meeting; councilors set a follow-up to refine priorities and funding details.

Next steps: council members to submit priority segment suggestions and staff to update the sidewalk inventory documentation for the next meeting.