Public Meeting on Sidewalks Set for Thursday, September 29
by Nancy Wood,
September 8, 2011, page 3.....

The Ferry Road Sidewalk Committee has been meeting every Monday (except Labor Day). Members of the committee include Ann Owen, Jenny Cole, Patrice Machavern, Ellie Russell, Dave Marshall, Jim Donovan and Vince Crockenberg. They have developed a timeline for engaging the public – the top priority of the committee – and developing a proposal to bring to the Selectboard.
A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 29, at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. This will be the first of two meetings to engage the public in the discussion of issue around building and maintaining sidewalks in the West Village along Ferry Road. Bicycle paths are also being considered. Ferry Road is four rods wide (66 feet) through the village, which is considered wide enough for both pedestrian and bicycle paths. All Charlotters are urged to come with their ideas and input. Refreshments will be served.
The second public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10, when the committee will present design alternatives developed from the input at the September 29 meeting. Additional public comment will be incorporated into the final design recommendations to be brought to the Selectboard by mid-December for its consideration. If the board decides to proceed, there will be an article on the warning for Town Meeting in March 2012. The final designs will include cost estimates.
To date the committee has been doing background work, including reviewing the 2007 DuBois & King, Inc. study and recommendations. Drawings of existing conditions, including drainage, have been made, and the owners of abutting properties identified. According to member Ann Owen, the committee will present the results of this research at the September 29 meeting and ask for community input before starting to look at design options. Information will be provided about constraints and opportunities, possible materials to use, and so on, in order to inform the discussion.
Committee member Ellie Russell indicated that she is in favor of sidewalks for the village. She said, “Sidewalks are not just a way to get around. They will help tie the village together, adding to the friendly character of the neighborhood.”
The Sidewalk Committee encourages the public to attend the weekly meetings, which are Mondays at 4:30 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room. Meetings will be posted on the town web site and minutes will be available.  All meetings are open to the public. To submit your comments or questions, you can reach the committee by e-mail at townofcharlotte.sidewalks@gmail.com.