Kinnelon Considers Sidewalk Safety Grant

The is considering applying for a Department of Transportation grant that would provide a sidewalk leading from to if approved.

Borough Engineer Paul Darmofalski spoke to the Kinnelon Council on Thursday and presented drawings of the proposed sidewalk under the New Jersey Safe Routes to Schools grant program. The sidewalks would feature retaining walls and possibly pedestrian walking signals and would come at a cost of $138,000. About $15,000 of the total cost would be spent on surveying and engineering. The borough would try to recoup most if not all of the cost from the grant.

At the council's Dec. 15 meeting, the council will be voting on a resolution to have Darmofalski apply for the grant. But additionally, the council would need to get a letter from the authorizing the sidewalk, as a portion of the property it would be constructed on is technically school board property.

"We can't submit (the application) without the board of education giving us a letter saying they endorse this project," Darmofalski said.

Darmofalski urged the council to act swiftly and vote on the resolution at their next meeting.

"You're going to be competing with every other municipality in New Jersey," he said.

Councilman Jim Freda said he is in support of applying for the grant.

"I've walked this at night and it's very dangerous and I think it's a great idea," he said.

Darmofalski agreed that the sidewalks would help promote safety in the borough and that the board of education should be on board.

"It's for the safety of all of Kinnelon, not just the safety of the board of education," he said.