Decision will not be made on plans until at least November.
By: Mark Moffa
ALLENTOWN A long-anticipated discussion of sidewalks in Allentown began at a Borough Council meeting last week, but it appears a decision will not be made until at least November.
The council is considering installing sidewalks in front of about a half dozen properties on South Main Street that currently have no sidewalks.
But many residents have objected to the plan, saying a lot of existing sidewalks are dangerous and in disrepair, and that the borough would do better to spend money repairing those sidewalks. Some residents also have argued the plan to install new sidewalks would be detrimental to the borough’s historic character.
About a dozen residents attended the meeting Oct. 9 to voice opinions on both sides of the issue, including former council member Richard Switlik, who favored spending the money on repairs as opposed to installation of new sidewalks.
Both Democratic Borough Council candidates, Stephanie Smith and Bill Soodul, have expressed the same sentiment, along with Republican Dave Strobino, who is running for re-election. Mr. Strobino’s running mate, fellow incumbent Art West, has not publicly expressed an opinion on the issue.
The borough received $400,000 in grant money last year it used and will continue to use for paving roads, improving handicapped access to borough hall, and installing new sidewalks as well as creating handicapped access aprons on existing sidewalks.
During Borough Council meetings in November and December of last year, the council collected public input on the issue of sidewalks, but it has yet to decide on a course of action.
Mayor Stu Fierstein said last week the council would announce at a meeting the next time the issue will be on an agenda. Therefore, Nov. 13 would be the earliest date it could appear.