Deadline nears for walk repairs
SLIPPERY ROCK — Time is running out for a number of borough residents who were notified last fall that the sidewalks in front of their homes are not compliant with borough code.
Dave Miller said at borough council’s June 9 meeting that property owners have until the end of July to repair their sidewalks. About 40 property owners were notified.
After that date, the borough may grant an extension or it may refer the cases to the district judge. According to the borough ordinance, residents whose sidewalks are not in compliance may be fined $300 a day until they are fixed.
A couple of residents have contacted the borough or inspector John Nath to find out how to fix their sidewalks. However, it is unclear how many people plan to correct the violations, said Lucinda Lipko, borough administrator.
Council decided to send another letter reminding residents of the deadline and the fines.
Lipko said Tuesday that the letters have not yet been sent but will go to property-owners who haven’t gotten a building permit from the borough to fix a sidewalk.
In 2005, council passed a sidewalk master plan including an ordinance requiring maintenance of sidewalks.
In September 2014, council voted to have Professional Code Services do a survey of residential properties and create a list of violations.
The borough plans to go through a similar sidewalk inspection process with commercial properties, including South Main Street, in the future.
According to Council member Regina Greenwald, one stretch of road where sidewalks need to be installed is North Main Street from Slippery Rock Elementary School to Kelly Boulevard. Some of the land is owned by Slippery Rock Township.
Slippery Rock Community Library hopes to build its new building on property across the street from the school, which would bring even more foot traffic to that area, Greenwald said.
Kelly Boulevard also has incomplete sidewalks.
“You watch parents walk their kids down Kelly and then they come around the corner into the grass or onto the road,” Greenwald said.
