By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 1, 2026) Berlin officials are working to pass a new ordinance that would end the town’s cost-share program for sidewalk repairs and instead require the town to fix hazardous walkways itself, provided funding is available.

This week’s discussion followed an Aug. 10 meeting when council members directed Town Attorney David Gaskill to draft a policy repealing the municipality’s existing sidewalk cost-share program and establishing the town’s responsibility for structural repairs to sidewalks abutting town-owned streets.

In effect for decades, the cost-share program requires the town and property owners to split the costs of sidewalk repairs equally when a walkway is deemed unsafe.

Council members previously opposed requiring residents to pay for repairs to sidewalks along public streets. Instead, the council favors a system in which the municipality would cover structural work when funding is available.

During Monday’s discussion, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said town staff had been considering how the proposed ordinance would work in practice. This would include establishing who is responsible for routine maintenance.

Snow removal and general upkeep would remain the responsibility of property owners.

Council Vice President Dean Burrell asked whether the town would be obligated to repair sidewalks if money had not been allocated for such work. Gaskill said sidewalk repair projects would only be doable if funding is set aside. Additionally, the council would have the authority to determine how this money is spent.

Officials also discussed whether driveway aprons — the sections connecting sidewalks to driveways — should be included in the repair program.

The issue arose from a request by the Berlin Fire Company for work on a driveway apron and sidewalk area. Tyndall said the town is moving forward with a 50/50 cost-sharing arrangement for the project, estimated at $1,200.

The existing cost-share program remains in effect while officials work on the proposed ordinance.

Another major concern remains the neighborhood of Walnut Hill, where uneven sidewalks have raised public safety concerns. Residents and staff remain divided over who owns the walkways and therefore who should pay for their repairs.

A homeowners association governs the community, and officials have debated whether the town took over the sidewalks when the neighborhood was developed.

Burrell said trees in Walnut Hill have contributed to sidewalk damage. The homeowners association maintains responsibility for the trees, and Burrell asked whether town-funded repairs would be sustainable if the same problems continued.

“I don’t think it’s fair to use taxpayer funding on a recurring expense,” he said.

Councilman Steve Green said the town should explore options for addressing the public safety concerns without replacing entire sidewalks.

He suggested raising sections of concrete could provide an alternative to full overhaul in some areas.

However, Tyndall said ownership questions remained unresolved and required additional consideration before the town committed funding to Walnut Hill.

According to previous council discussions, the town has approximately $20,000 budgeted for sidewalk work.

The council took no action on the ordinance, but Tyndall directed Gaskill to prepare a list of issues for discussion at a future meeting.