Borough Assumes Control of Sidewalks

Sidewalk maintenance in Chatham Borough just got a little easier.

The Chatham Borough Council unanimously passed a new sidewalk ordinance Monday that includes a provision assuming responsibility "for the maintenance, reconstruction and proper maintenance and repair for sidewalks" outside of residences and through the Main Street commercial area.

Residents will be responsible for certain damage caused by tenants or contractors, by roots of privately-owned trees, by drainage from private property or by new construction.

Former Mayor Joe Marts spoke during the meeting, saying he hoped the ordinance would not cause more burden on residents to repair their own sidewalks. Council members were quick to assure him the ordinance actually increased responsibility of the borough, shifting it away from homeowners.

"The ordinance does not do what you say," Mayor Bruce Harris told Marts. "The borough is assuming responsibility for all sidewalks adjacent to residential properties. The only time that a property owner is going to have to repair the sidewalks is if they, in general, damage the sidewalks."

Councilman Vicki Fife said the ordinance marked something unique in the state of New Jersey. "We believe we are a walking town and the sidewalks belong to everyone," she said.

The ordinance also consolidates existing sidewalk law, which previously took up four separate sections of Chatham Borough code, into a single law. 

Other portions of the law dictate snow removal and outdoor dining.