NORWICH – As part of an ongoing effort to embellish the city and improve pedestrian safety, members of the Common Council have approved another year of funding for the Sidewalk Replacement and Paint Rebate programs.
Since 2007, city officials have agreed to offer a shared cost incentive to residents who replace sidewalks along their property frontage. Through the program, the cost of materials is picked up by residents and the city covers the remaining cost through in-kind services, providing the labor and equipment needed to carry out the work.
In 2011, nearly 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk was installed at 17 residential properties citywide. According to Mayor Joseph Maiurano, the program has proven to be a successful way of getting residents to comply with the city’s sidewalk ordinance, which mandates that property owners ensure the safety and accessibility of their sidewalks for pedestrians.
“So far, it’s shown to be a great program and it’s worked quite well,” the mayor said, citing the amount of work done in the city, particularly in the city’s fifth ward.
“A lot of people have utilized the program and been able to replace their sidewalks at the cost of the cement ... We’ve reached out to a lot of people and asked them to take advantage of the program,” he added.
Estimated cost to homeowners this year is approximately $22 per linear foot of concrete sidewalk, explained Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer. Though the amount of frontage varies between properties throughout the city, Dreyer said the average tends to range anywhere between 35 and 60 feet.
By continuing the program, city officials are hoping that more people take advantage of it, which would ultimately benefit the entire community.
“The overall benefit is not only to the property owners,” said Dreyer, “but also the public at large.”
In addition to the Sidewalk Replacement Program, the city took further measures to beautify area residences when it introduced the paint rebate program for the first time last year. The incentive was created by the Common Council and other city officials who suggested that offering a rebate program to reduce the cost of house paint would entice homeowners and residential landlords to paints their houses.
Residents who took advantage of the program in 2011 were given a $7 rebate per gallon of paint, which covered up to 20 gallons of paint per property – all of which was funded from community development grant funds. About $2,000 was spent by city officials on 275 gallons of paint for 29 properties that participated in the program.
The same financial incentives are being offered to residents again this year.
“It’s been a good program so far and we want residents to keep taking advantage of it,” said Maiurano.
To apply for the programs, city residents are encouraged to write the Norwich Office of Community Development, One City Plaza, Norwich NY 13815. Applicants are requested to include name, daytime phone number, mailing address and the address of the residence to be enhanced.