KINGFIELD — A long-delayed sidewalk construction plan from town to Kingfield Elementary School has become considerably more costly and more complicated.

Selectmen reviewed the numbers at their meeting Monday night.

In 2011, voters approved selectmen submitting an application for a Maine Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Project Program. The town’s Village Enhancement Committee supported the plan as a safer way for students to bike or walk to and from school.

Voters agreed to pay the 20 percent share of the costs when money from the Maine Department of Transportation became available. In 2015, voters renewed their continuing support for the project by a 2-1 margin. At that time, the town’s share was about $35,000, according to administrative assistant Leanna Targett.

“The total cost is $697,000,” Targett said. “Our share to build the sidewalk right up to the school is $139,400.”

The original route would run from Depot Street to the Kingfield Elementary School’s entrance. Today’s costs have increased significantly, Targett told selectmen, and the original plan had not addressed some important issues.

Building the sidewalk on school property presented problems. The school district owns the school and or the property on which it sits, so the board would have to grant the town a right-of-way.

Selectman Wade Browne said he spoke with Kim Jordan, a director in School Administrative District 58, who will give the information to the board but was not optimistic about getting it approved.

Students walking to school from town cut diagonally across the school’s field and do not use the driveway. The district also would have to pay the costs to clear and maintain their section.

“Don’t forget we can’t spend public money on private property,” Targett told selectmen.

Kingfield’s Public Works Department would maintain and repair the sidewalk along Route 142, and that would entail more work hours. Selectmen will wait for the SAD 58 board’s decision later this month before taking action.

In other matters, selectmen agreed to make the cover of this year’s town report into a community competition. Full-time residents can submit photos, paintings, drawings and other types of art. Selectmen will then select the winner. Targett said she will put the information on Facebook.

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