Article 7 Passed!
Thanks to everyone who supported this Article. It appropriated $230,000 toward the North Street Sidewalk Construction. (see below for full article's text)

Project Highlights
Article 7 was the first installment of a long range Town-wide Sidewalk Improvement Plan developed by the Sidewalk Committee. Primary objectives of the plan include:
• Create Walking Loops
• Improve Pedestrian Safety
• Promote a Healthy Recreational Activity That Will be Accessible to All Citizens (From Toddlers to Seniors)
• Costs Less Than 1 Penny a Day to the Average Home Owner

Recent Committee Activities
The Tewksbury Sidewalk Committee has been working closely with elected town officials, engineers and the Sewer Advisory Committee to create a Town-wide Sidewalk Improvement Plan.

The streets within this plan have been prioritized over the course of the past several years. To determine the streets that will be getting sidewalks before others, our committee has reviewed the following types of information: census data, school aged children, school locations, fire stations, parks, public buildings, and existing sidewalk locations.

There has been a concerted effort to create functional "loops" within the community. Tewksbury currently has sporadic sidewalk placement. We would like to connect existing sidewalks and in doing so create several loops throughout the town. One of the major benefits would be the ability for our youth to get to recreational fields to play baseball, football, basketball or even just meet up at the park for a game of tag.

The building of this Town-wide Plan would create a safer environment for all of us to enjoy the safety of walking down our streets. Children waiting for buses won't have to stand in snow banks or up behind a tree for protection.

The phasing of this plan has been coordinated with the installation of sewers throughout the town. The synergy between these two endeavors is essential for cost savings by reducing any duplicate work and eliminating any patching of newly installed sidewalks (when the sewer line is run to homes). Also, some of the streets that get sewer will be receiving a new top coat of asphalt. Common construction practices rely on a new asphalt coat to settle for a winter season before a sidewalk is installed.

A map of the Town-wide Tewksbury Sidewalk Improvement Plan can be seen as a pdf file. Once opened, you will have the ability to zoom in, zoom out and pan in any direction. You will need Adobe Software (free) to view this map.

Article 7

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $230,000 to be expended by the Town Manager, for the design and construction of sidewalks on various streets in the Town, including costs incidental and related thereto, and that to raise this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, is authorized to borrow $230,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44 Section 7(5), of the Massachusetts General Laws, or any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore, and that the Town Manager be authorized to apply for, accept and expand any federal, state or other grants that may be available for the project, or take any other action relative thereto.

Town Manager and Sidewalk Committee
Motion: That the Town hereby appropriate the sum of $230,000 to pay the costs for the design and construction of sidewalks and for all other costs incidental and related thereto, and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, is hereby authorized to borrow said funds under and pursuant to Chapter 44 Section 7(5) of the Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds and notes of the Town therefore.

Executive Summary: The Purpose of this article is to authorize the borrowing of funds so that sidewalk improvements can begin to be implemented in general compliance with a long range Town-wide Sidewalk Improvement Plan developed by the Sidewalk Committee. It is envisioned that an annual town meeting appropriation article similar to this will be submitted each year to work toward the implementation of this long range Plan, on file at the Town Clerk's Office, so that walking loops traverse the Town connecting the more densely populated and heavily traveled residential, municipal and commercial area, improving pedestrian safety and promoting general recreation and accessibility for all citizens (or accessibility for school aged children, adults and seniors).

Let Us Know What You're Thinking
We would like to hear your opinions. Please send an email to the chairmen of our committee. Feel free to discuss any issues. Together we can make a difference!