Small Town News

Who pays for filling in Rehoboth sidewalks?

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Officials may opt for shared payments

Completing sidewalks where they are missing in Rehoboth Beach would be a no-brainer if the city would pay the tab. But asking residents to foot the bill for sidewalks at $50 a foot and curbs at $30 per foot is another story.

Commissioner Paul Kuhns presented results Friday, Sept. 4, during a workshop of a survey of 25 property owners with missing sidewalks.

He said it wasn't surprising that those surveyed said they would have a tough time paying for new sidewalks even though the city's charter requires sidewalks in areas where 50 percent or more of the properties have walkways.

He said the majority also responded the lack of contiguous sidewalks did not present a safety issue for pedestrians.

Kuhns said 14 of the properties are on Lake Avenue and Sussex Street where there is a real safety issue.

"I think we are agreed we should address this problem, but we have to decide who should pay," said Mayor Sam Cooper.

In Cooper's opinion, the property owner should pay, as has been the case with other sidewalk construction in the city.

City attorney Glenn Mandalas said the city's ordinance gives the commissioners the option to allow the city or the property owners to pay for infilling of sidewalks, but the property owners are responsible for repairs and maintenance.

Not everyone on the council agreed with the mayor.

Commissioner Dennis Barbour said he was adamantly opposed to residents paying for the infilling of sidewalks.

"They are not responsible for the streets, why should they be responsible for the sidewalks?" he asked.

Commissioner Pat Coluzzi agreed with Barbour. "The city should be responsible for putting in sidewalks," she said.

Coluzzi wanted to put the matter on the next agenda and vote on who pays for sidewalks.

Barbour said the commission has two choices: leave the ordinance as it is or exclude property owners from footing the bill for sidewalks.

Cooper seemed to have a problem with that suggestion. "That's a huge change," he said.

Several commissioners agreed the best possible option might be to work out payment plans, low-interest loans or some other shared payment between the city and property owners.

The matter will be placed on a future agenda for a public hearjng.





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