“Walking the Walk” for Sidewalks

Shortly after I began serving on the Town Council member, I attended a public hearing about the possibility of installing sidewalks on Hayes Road. There was a general consensus about the value of sidewalks to our community. However, many residents of Hayes Road were adamant about not wanting sidewalks on their side of the road. Their primary concern revolved around who would have the responsibility for clearing the sidewalk during winter storms. Many of the individuals who resisted the proposal had health issues which prohibited them from doing the heavy labor necessary during snow removal.

This discussion concerned me because I recognize the validity of both positions. Finding and paying for snow removal can strain backs and budgets. For individuals on limited incomes, the addition of sidewalks can represent a significant expense.  On the other hand, sidewalks have a variety of benefits. Probably foremost among these is a safer passage for school children walking to the bus stop. A pedestrian friendly environment also leads to an increase in recreational walking for health benefits and provides opportunities for interaction.  Sidewalks bring added-value to a community. According to a study performed by “walking the walk,” sponsored by the CEOs for Cities (a nonprofit group that works to improve cities), homes located about a quarter to one-mile from shops, schools and restaurants with sidewalks connecting them had values that were $4000 to $34,000 more than the homes without sidewalks.

Based on the experience of the other communities that have faced this issue, there are solutions. Other towns have created groups such as “Snow Angels” and “Snow Corps,” in which volunteers help home owners clear their sidewalks. The South Windsor Human Services Department could help coordinate volunteers who could take-on this task during inclement weather. For persons 75 years or older, those with physical disabilities, those who have handicap parking permits  and those who do not have other healthy family members in their homes, the town volunteers may be able to help with snow removal. There are liability issues that we would have to better understand and potentially manage if something like this is to be created.

In our town, we have a number of dedicated volunteers serving in the South Windsor Walk and Wheel Ways Committee. I am honored to serve in the Town Council appointed Sidewalk & Bikeway Subcommittee. I am hopeful that as we work towards identifying processes to help those with health issues and providing physically and legally safe ways of clearing the sidewalk, we as a town and community and Town Council will collectively join hands to make South Windsor a sidewalk friendly town.

M. Saud Anwar
Member of Town Council