PHILLIPS — Voters have an important decision to make about a downtown sidewalk spending plan.
At 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the Town Office, selectmen will host a a third and final public informational meeting to discuss Main Street sidewalk options.
According to Town Manager Maureen Haley, the story began in 2012 when selectmen agreed to apply for a federally funded transportation enhancement grant that would be managed by the Maine Department of Transportation. The grant would pay 80 percent of the cost to rebuild Phillips’ downtown sidewalks.
In 2013, taxpayers appropriated $60,445 as their required share of the 20 percent matching funds, based on an estimated $300,000 cost. The rebuilt sidewalks would run from the Route 142 bridge to Trecartin Park and from the corner of Pleasant Street to the corner of Depot Street.
Other Maine municipalities also apply for the annual grants, and the funds haven’t gone far enough to include the Phillips’ project. Now, four years later, the revised estimate is closer to $400,000, Haley said.
“The (Maine Department of Transportation) funds have been approved for the project already, so if there was no big dissent, we would move forward,” Haley said. “Additional funds would have to be approved by the town, and that may mean a special town meeting, depending on the timing.”
At the recent June town meeting, residents indicated an interest in continuing the project, but they also are required to make a financial commitment to maintain the sidewalks over the next 20 years. Those unknown future costs will not be covered by the grant. Haley said she has a range of estimated costs, but selectmen have not yet requested bids for winter maintenance. Before they proceed, they need to hear what taxpayers want them to do.
“First, selectmen believe it is crucial to inform as many taxpayers as possible about the cost and scope of this sidewalk project,” Haley said.
A contractor or town employee could do the work, but costs will have to include equipment to keep the sidewalks clear. Selectmen have hosted two well-attended meetings, Haley said, but most were supporters and downtown residents and business owners. All taxpayers will need to shoulder the financial burden, she said.
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