Residents came out to the Oct. 5 mayor and council meeting to oppose sidewalks that would be installed as part of the Safe Routes to School program, questioning the need for such walkways and criticizing the council’s lack of public involvement in the matter.
Demarest has received a $150,000 federal grant from the Department of Transportation for Phase One of the project, which Borough Engineer Gary Vander Veer said would include asphalt sidewalk construction on the east side of Brookside Avenue between Hardenburgh and Lenox avenues and the east side of Lake Road between County Road and William Street. The money would also be used for textured pavement crosswalks and flashing lights with speed indicators to enhance visibility to motorists.
Joe Cutolo, who lives on Brookside Avenue, brought a petition in opposition to the construction of the sidewalk on his street. He questioned the need for the walkway, saying that there are three children who live on Brookside and that in these times, most parents drive their children to school.
“Parents work and drive [their children] to school in the morning to get them out of the house,” Cutolo said. “I don’t see how putting up a sidewalk is going to force people to walk.”
Council President Bill Connelly said the idea isn’t to make residents walk, but to encourage the healthier, more eco-friendly mode of transportation. “We are trying to encourage more kids to walk and increase safety. That’s being lost,” he said.
Michele Sunberg, another Brookside Avenue resident, agreed with her neighbor that the added walkways won’t encourage walking the way council members hope.
“Putting in sidewalks is not going to change anything,” she said.
Asphalt versus concrete was also discussed. Several residents said they would prefer concrete walkways and Councilman Tom Connolly agreed.
“I do not like asphalt sidewalks. I would prefer to see concrete sidewalks,” Connolly said. “I’d like to see the price difference.”
Others were upset the public wasn’t included sooner in the process. “You all should have notified who would be affected before you applied for this grant,” said former Councilwoman Carol Cardinale. “People should’ve had a say back then.”
Former Councilman Tony Costanzo agreed. “I find it incredible that this grant has been discussed for two years and only now residents know about it,” he said, adding that the only reason residents attended the meeting was because they read about the issue in the newspaper.
Connolly was upset because he was under the impression that letters had gone out to residents after discussion at the Sept. 21 mayor and council meeting.
“It’s a very difficult thing for a person to take. We should’ve told every resident,” Connolly said. “I asked for a letter to go out. I’m upset it didn’t go out.”
Cost to the taxpayers was another area of concern. While the Borough has been awarded grant money, Vander Veer said that the money only covers construction costs, and not any engineering design work. In addition, the Borough has to pay for all the work initially and then receive reimbursement from the state.
“The grant doesn’t cover soft costs. Now that you’ve gotten a grant, you should listen to the public before going out to get it,” former Councilman Ray Cywinski said. “I think you are putting the cart before the horse, spending money that is not going to be reimbursed.”
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