OSWEGO – Mayor Billy Barlow is requesting $80,000 in additional funding to replace and repair more residential sidewalks in neighborhoods this summer.
In 2016, the city, under Mayor Barlow’s direction, accepted the responsibility to repair and replace sidewalks in front of residential properties, a task previously left to property owners, and have since been allocating additional resources annually to conduct as many repairs as possible to process the large backlog of requests generated over the last several years.
“Reclaiming our infrastructure has remained a top priority for city government and that includes repairing and replacing our sidewalks for our residential property owners,” said Barlow. “Improving our infrastructure in our residential neighborhoods is a key component to revitalizing our neighborhoods and improving our community. By allocating additional funding to replace and repair our sidewalks, we continue our record level of investment in our neighborhoods and do not financially burden our homeowners with the responsibility of having to repair sidewalks in front of their homes.”
Robert Corradino, President of the Common Council, fully supports the additional funding.
“Fixing and maintaining our sidewalks is one of the most important issues that we must address. With our current backlog of sidewalks waiting to be repaired, this request will go a long way towards getting the work completed for our residents and I fully support allocating this funding,” he said.
Home owners are asked to contact their councilor to generate a work order request if they wish to have a sidewalk in front of their home repaired or replaced.
Selected sidewalks are usually prioritized based on volume of pedestrian traffic in the area and safety.
The repairs will be conducted in late summer and early fall by the Oswego Department of Public Works.
The Administrative Services Committee will consider the additional funding request July 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Oswego City Hall, 13 W. Oneida St.
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They can start by taking the steps out of intersections and lowering curbs so people can have access to sidewalks.. many are in the 7th and 5th wards a long w first, Murray, third and fifth streets. Law suit waiting to happen when the city is in violation of the ADA laws. Plus where’s the zoning office on this??
People have to live somewhere else for a time to recognize how much Oswego really does to maintain and improve streets/sidewalks, street lights, and so much more.
I will probably ask for two squares of my sidewalk to get repaired when the funding is available as I have had some weather related heaving. As have a few others on our street.
Crazy to think that prior to this proposal it was the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the sidewalk. The city already requires an easement for access, therefore they have a vested interest im maintaining City laid and paid for infrastructure within that easement. Residents’ property taxes are collected year after year but somehow portions of the money meant to sustain this sort of infrastructure goes towards other silly pet projects and subjective needs. The squeaky wheel only gets the grease when it falls off the axle. By then it is many times more expensive the fix and bring back to Baseline than the drop of Grease it needed to begin with.