SEVEN FIELDS — Several residents voiced their concerns Monday night against borough council's preliminary plans to build aesthetically pleasing brick sidewalks.

Joseph Virostek handed council a petition with more than 60 signatures against the sidewalks. He said he moved to Seven Fields to escape high taxes and suggested the brick sidewalks are a waste of taxpayers' money.

"I think the majority of people who move to Butler County were tired of paying big bucks like this to Allegheny County," Virostek said. "Please, please, please don't make our community a big bucks community."

Borough manager Tom Smith said he's tested the market for the project and received contractor's bids ranging from $214,000 to $385,000.

He said the project would upgrade and replace existing sidewalks at nine crosswalks, including the intersections of Castle Creek Drive and Route 228.

The crosswalk beautification effort is the third phase of the borough's streetscapes project. The borough already constructed new street signs and erected colorful hanging baskets at some intersections.

Council President Jack Oakley told residents the beautification project isn't absolutely necessary but that it would help promote Seven Fields as a clean, modern community.

He also said it's important for council to upgrade infrastructure because the borough is full in terms of land development and there are few other options to attract new residents.

"This idea came about because we're completely built out and past the developmental stage," Oakley said. "I think it (the brick project) would help Seven Fields identify itself by its appearance and it would help maintain desirability to come here."

Virostek became heated at some moments and distributed photographs he said clearly depicted the wear and tear on Cranberry Township's Streets of Cranberry, a project he said closely resembles Seven Fields' proposal.

He said the brick sidewalks would deteriorate in a matter of years and they are simply a waste of taxpayers' money during a time when government should be saving money.

"If you like bricks, pave your own driveway with them," Virostek told Oakley. "Take it out of your own pocket, not the community's."

Smith urged more debate until council proceeds with the brick project.

Council tabled the motion to accept the bids on the project until next month's meeting.