DALTON, Mass. — After a heated discussion concerning sidewalk repair options during last week's Select Board meeting, the board voted to not support Article 1 on the annual town meeting warrant.

 

The article proposes amending the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks.

 

The decision narrowly passed 3-2, with board members Dan Esko, Robert Bishop and John Boyle voting not to recommend the article and Joseph Diver and Marc Strout for a recommendation. 

 

Board members in favor of not recommending the article cited reasons such as not wanting to limit the town's options when addressing sidewalks in disrepair, which has been a hot topic recently due to the number of sidewalks within the town that need to be addressed. 

 

Although Diver made the motion not to recommend the citizen's petition, he later changed his mind and voted against his motion, agreeing with Strout that the decision should lay in the hands of the residents. 

 

"I personally believe that it should be put in the hands of the residents and not for the five of us to make that decision and that's why I actually think this is a good petition to put up there. Let the residents make that decision," Strout said. 

 

The changing of the town bylaw is not the only article concerning sidewalks voters will vote on during the May 6 town meeting.