Residents along East Maple Street from North Main to Steeby Elementary will pay a total of about $5,630 for new sidewalks in a $293,000 street project this year.
The Wayland City Council decided to go ahead with the special assessments and set a public hearing on them for Monday, March 6. There was some discussion about eliminating such special assessments on residents altogether, but first a policy must be proposed.
“It’s not that much (money),” Councilwoman Jennifer Antel said. “We should make a decision on this going forward.”
Councilwoman Tracy Bivins, however, contended that dropping the special assessment requirements for sidewalks would be unfair to those who have paid for them in the past.
Councilman Tim Rose suggested the policy be changed to make homeowners pay for repairs rather than installation, thereby encouraging them to pay attention to upkeep.
But Antel said, “It’s a lot of work and a lot of keeping track (in determining who owes what). It’s a lot to do for a little amount of money.”
Mayor Tim Bala said there really hasn’t been much in the way of grousing over special assessments in previous public hearings over the years.
Rose noted some people don’t even want sidewalks, saying “I don’t want a lot of people walking that close to my house.”
Councilwoman Lisa Banas said the city can afford to pick up the tab for the special assessments now, but may not be so fortunate down the road.
Councilman John Sloan suggested reducing the residents’ contribution of half the cost of the concrete according to the square footage, but Antel then asked, “Then why do it (special assessments) at all… It was our (the city’s) decision.”
City Manager Tim McLean then suggested the council continue its special assessment policy for now and later announce it will reconsider it and seek public input. Council members agreed.
The winning bidder for the street project was from Peters Construction of Kalamazoo, which also did West Superior Street several years ago.
City Engineer Mickey Bittner said the $293,000 price was reasonable because of the early bidding process.
“The City of Wayland has a reputation for being cooperative with contractors,” Bittner said. “That gets you more bidders and better prices.
Besides installation of sidewalks on the north side on the street, the project will include replacing the water main and putting a cap over the road. Bittner said the project will not be as extensive as the reconstruction and repaving of East Sycamore Street and Hanlon Court in recent years.
PHOTO: Mickey Bittner