Bristol Increasing Inspections Of Sidewalks & Looking For Trip Hazards

Bristol Borough officials are increasing their enforcement of dangerous sidewalks around the community.

Since May, Bristol Borough code enforcement officials have undertaken an initiative to inspect sidewalks in the walkable community, according to Code Enforcement Officer John Miller.

As of Monday, the borough’s code enforcement officers have completed walking inspections in 50 percent of the town. A total of 155 violations have been found, 132 of those homeowners have been granted extensions to repair or replace the sidewalks, and 23 citations have been issued, Miller said.

The borough is sending letters asking residents to fix the sidewalk tripping hazards, which are required to be corrected and can pose a safety risk for everyone, including those with disabilities.

“It’s not something we enjoy doing, but some of the sidewalks are pretty bad,” Miller said.

The borough’s enforcement drive began after code enforcement staff took part in a recent Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs presentation on the issue.

“The problem is people just ignore it. That forces it to go to the next step,” Miller said.

Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said officials have received complaints from numerous residents upset about the notices and feel that contractors are gouging them to get the work done quickly.

While the borough’s letters tell residents the work needs to be done within two weeks, Miller advised residents to contact his office for an extension.

“If you need time, the borough works with everybody,” DiGuiseppe said.

Miller said most violations discovered require repair of the sidewalk and not full replacement, which is more costly.

DiGuiseppe explained that the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County is offering interest-free loans for sidewalk repairs to those who qualify.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires lifting of more than a quarter-inch to be repaired on sidewalks, Miller stated.

The borough has been named previously in lawsuits over tripping hazards on sidewalks, and the code enforcement survey of the borough’s sidewalks is to cut down on liability issues, according to Miller.

DiGuiseppe said the lawsuits cost taxpayer dollars.

The council president told Miller he wanted to make sure the code enforcement officials were giving residents proper time to make repairs.

“I think the approach we have taken maybe isn’t the right approach,” DiGuiseppe stated, adding people do still need to make the repairs.

Borough officials haven’t been exempt from the violation notes, with DiGuiseppe and council members Betty Rodriquez and Greg Pezza receiving violation notices, the council president said.

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