Town plans new sidewalk in response to calls, petition
NEW CANAAN— In a town that prides itself on its walkability, residents have complained about the lack of sidewalks along Lakeview Avenue, Director of Public Works Tiger Mann told the selectmen Monday.
In response, the Board of Selectmen approved $29,500 for a survey and design to extend a sidewalk on the northern side of Lakeview Avenue from Main Street to Millport Avenue.
The town has received two petitions and numerous calls for a sidewalk extension for the street, Mann told the selectmen.
Multi-family housing sits on the north side of the road, including Canaan Parish, Millport Housing and Avalon apartments, and there are many people “trying to access Main Street,” Mann said.
“People don’t necessarily feel safe walking on the edge” of the street without a sidewalk, Mann explained.
He pointed out the sidewalk project is also listed in the Plan of Conservation Development for both 2003 and 2014.
On Memorial Day, when Selectman Nick Williams walked up from the Lakeview Cemetery, “it really struck” him that “we really do need to add the missing link,” he said to his fellow selectmen.
Although there is a partial sidewalk on part of the the south side of the street, Mann said the town would be focusing on the northern side.
However, the town “will be doing a boundary survey on both sides of the street” as a backup if the present design “doesn’t pan out,” Mann said.
The contract for the sidewalk project will be offered to Cabezas DeAngelis, since the organization has done other projects and has “done an excellent job,” the DPW director said.