FARMINGTON – As far as Roger Condit knows, the only brick sidewalk still visible in Farmington is at the top of Court Street. The bricks and ground on this quiet, tree-lined residential street, have shifted as tree roots have grown and spread causing an uneven, dangerous walkway.

Condit, who formerly lived on the street for 30 years, watched the sidewalk deteriorate while another section of the street’s sidewalk was covered with asphalt, he said.

“It was a pity to cover the bricks,” he added.

For more than two decades he has wanted to see the remaining bricks reset to preserve the character of Farmington, he said. With the help of students from the Maine School of Masonry from Avon, the former physician was finally able to see the project started Friday.

Students, led by the founder and director of the school, Stephen Mitchell, started digging up a portion of the brick sidewalk saving the best bricks for resetting. A portion of the 230-foot brick sidewalk running in front of three houses on Court Street will be completed this fall with the rest to be undertaken next spring, Mitchell said. The sidewalk will be raised to cover the tree roots.

The students will return Monday when employees of the town’s Public Work Department will be there to reset granite liners along the street side of the sidewalk. Working with Public Works Director Denis Castonguay and Town Manager Richard Davis, the town will also provide sand for the brick bed, Condit said.

Mitchell expects this part of the project will be completed by mid-November. With student volunteers and saved bricks that will be turned over and a few bricks added from Mitchell’s supply, the only cost connected to the project appears to be the labor and sand provided by the town.

Mitchell, who grew up in Farmington, said he couldn’t believe there were any brick sidewalks left when Condit called to ask for help on the project.

Students of the masonry school participate in a volunteer day on Fridays either helping with a project like this or individual projects for property owners and organizations in the community, Mitchell said. Besides this sidewalk, other projects being undertaken this academic year include a barbecue area for Phillips Old Home Days, work on a gateway sign in Strong and a wall at Skye Theater in Carthage, Mitchell added.