Marblehead selectman proposes town-wide sidewalk repairs

MARBLEHEAD-The selectmen?s vote placing a $1.6 million Pleasant Street traffic “calming” plan before the May Town Meeting was hardly entered in the minutes when Selectman William Woodfin called for a more aggressive sidewalk repair plan for the whole town.However, his colleagues asked for more time to think about the idea. The Pleasant Street plan addresses traffic changes at seven key intersections, including Mohawk Road where Marblehead High student Allie Castner was hit by a car and killed in August.The estimate includes repairs to the most damaged sidewalks at those locations. Consultant Gary Hebert estimated an additional $300,000 in cost if all the sidewalks are repaired.Noting that there are problematic sidewalks throughout town, Woodfin said Marblehead currently spends about $15,000 a year repaving sidewalks, but that doesn?t cover the entire need and he would like to see more done.He asked Town Administrator Tony Sasso to meet with Director of Public Works Dana Snow to discuss a program to address all town sidewalks, funded by a debt exclusion override.?You?re talking about an accelerated program,” Sasso said.Woodfin agreed. “We put it off and put it off and I think it?s time we do this,” he said.Selectman Judy Jacobi noted that the board had just voted to put the Pleasant Street plan on the warrant. She asked for time to think about Woodfin?s idea.