![]() Swarthmore also warned residents that vegetation needs to be cut back from the edge of the sidewalk and above the sidewalk to ensure pedestrians safe travel. A sidewalk block marked for replacement in Swarthmore. The borough sprayed “X” on damaged segments that need to be replaced. In walkable Swarthmore, borough officials recently went through town marking sidewalks that are cracked or have unsafe conditions and overgrown vegetation. However that is not popular with some because it can have a patchwork look and doesn’t hold up. Another solution is skim coating the concrete, which fills in the cracks. Replacing concrete sidewalks doesn’t come cheap with a typical “block’’ costing as much as $350 to $400 to remove and replace. ![]() But if the cracks are not a tripping hazard, there is not much a municipality can do.Ī municipality can enforce sidewalk block compliance when the property is a rental property and when it is sold. You have a little crack in there, but when it gets to be a safety issue, they don’t realize have much liability they are exposed to,” Savoia lamented.Īndrew Hayman, borough manager in Folcroft, said his understanding of sidewalk ordinances are that blocks have to be sticking up or there are obvious hazards, then fines can be issued. “I can see the borough don’t want to hassle people. More than 142 local government entities have been named in lawsuits for failing to maintain ADA compliance, Savoia claimed. Bush requiring accommodations such as curb cuts for people with disabilities. He also points to the Americans with Disabilities Act signed by President George H.W. Savoia said property owners with the degraded walkways, which he said includes some borough properties, are opening themselves to legal action. Sections of the sidewalks in Norwood are made of slate and over 100 years old. He needs to come in here and talk to me,” Poole said, adding he didn’t wish to discuss borough complaints through a reporter. “There are all sorts of property ordnances. Poole said he has been borough manager for two years and had not heard from Savoia except a typed letter dropped at borough hall with no follow-up information. ![]() Savoia said he has written letters to borough officials but has not seen action. Some of the blocks are slate and have been in place for over 100 years while others are concrete that have been pushed up by tree roots. Savoia points to borough ordinances that call for residents to keep sidewalks in good repair and passable condition, including tree branches to be kept clear at a height of 9 feet above any sidewalk. Imagine them hidden under a blanket of snow.” ![]() “There are numerous trip hazards, low branches, encroaching shrubbery, missing curb cuts, cars parked blocking them, and more. “They are dangerous,” said the retired property manager who has lived in Norwood for 40 years. Jim Savoia is concerned about tripping hazards on the sidewalks on Norwood. The 72-year-old Norwood resident is concerned about his safety navigating broken and un-level sidewalks on his daily walks and feels the borough isn’t doing enough to enforce ordinances that require the sidewalks in town to be safe and clear. Jim Savoia wants to take a walk but not go for “a trip.” ![]()
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