To the editor,
I am 73 years old. I have lived in Willow Creek my entire life. I remember when Main Street had wooden sidewalks, and I remember when they replaced them with concrete in 1973. I suspect the concrete we have now is the same concrete they laid in 1973.
The section in front of the Gazette Building and the old pharmacy is particularly bad. There is a raised slab near the crosswalk that I have watched three people trip on in the past month. One of them was a woman pushing a stroller. She caught herself — barely — but if she had been carrying groceries instead of a baby, she would have gone down.
I have written to the selectmen about this twice. The first time, I received a form letter thanking me for my input. The second time, I received nothing. I do not know whether that means my letter was lost or whether the board has decided the sidewalk is not a priority. Either way, the slab is still raised.
I understand that sidewalk repair is expensive and that the town has many demands on its budget. But the town also has liability. One lawsuit from a visitor who breaks an ankle on Main Street would cost more than repaving every sidewalk in the business district.
I would be grateful for an inspection, at minimum, and a timeline for repair.
Respectfully,
Mr. Leonard Bouchard Sr. 55 Pond Road Willow Creek