Elmwood Avenue Sidewalk Construction Begins

Despite heavy objection from residents, the sidewalk on lower Elmwood Avenue was paved yesterday.

Residents stood outside yesterday to watch the contractors lay the cement. The crew worked around tree trunks with sad faces drawn on them in Duncan Robertson's yard at  93 Elmwood Ave.

The sidewalk, which lies adjacent to Milton Avenue Elementary School, will be complete before the start of school next week.

Council members from Chatham Borough said the sidewalk would alleviate congestion and provide a safe path for children leaving the elementary school. Residents continue to claim that their position was not adequately addressed and that the council did not adequately entertain options other than the sidewalk.

As Elmwood Avenue resident Robert Labus said at a Borough Council meeting on Aug. 9, "It just seems like we're rushing into this."