Dexter Village Council Reconsiders Sidewalks on Edison Street

In a reversal of its , the Dexter Village Council reconsidered its motion to place a new sidewalk on Edison Street with a 5-1 vote at its meeting on Monday.

The proposed sidewalk would follow the village's engineering standard, which recommends installation 99 feet from the village's right of way. Because Edison Street is narrower than newer streets in the village, residents argued the sidewalk would cut into their property line and have negative privacy, safety and aesthetic effects.

Monday's motion to reconsider the council's vote on Sept. 26 was made by trustee Ray Tell.

“When I voted last meeting I was positive that I had voted correctly,” Tell said. “I thought about it. It wasn’t something I took lightly. I’ve never asked for a reconsideration before. But because there was such discourse and a wide range of emotions dealing with it (the sidewalk), I thought maybe it was better to reconsider.”

Of the 11 residents who addressed the council on Monday to give their opinions on the sidewalk placement, several do not live on Edison Street but had concerns over future sidewalk placement in the village.

Resident Cindy Wauer said she "rushed to the meeting" after work to voice her opinion.

“I walk in the village a lot and when I walk over on 5th Street where the sidewalks are almost on top of the houses, I feel uncomfortable," she said. "I don’t want that on Edison Street, too. It is too intrusive upon the neighbors.”

Village President Shawn Keough, who voted against the reconsideration, said he was disappointed in the decision.

“I would like to see the sidewalk go in. There is no animosity about it.  There is a respect for the homes, the trees and other things in the right of way. I was hoping to add one sidewalk. That is why I am voting no," he said.

Following the vote, no further action was taken on the sidewalk.

Jack Davidson, a homeowner on Edison Street, expressed relief after the meeting.

“I really feel like they heard us. The fact that so many people showed up and not all of them lived on Edison Street is why I think they listened," he said.

Evelyn Smith, who rallied several of her neighbors to attend the meeting, said she was not relieved with the decision.

“This is a postponement. They could still put the sidewalks in down the road where they want them. At least now maybe they will put some consideration into the sidewalk standard for neighborhoods in the old village," she said.