To The Editor:
Myself and others tried to arrange to clean our new sidewalks at no charge to the town. We wrote to the town with an idea to get a group together to volunteer to clean the sidewalks. We discussed methods of getting this done to both protect our investment and to get them in shape for use.
We discussed the possibility of asking the fire department to power wash the sidewalk. We also found out the town owns a gas-operated power brush but we would have to see if it was too powerful and would throw the stones too far. I also own a backpack leaf blower that I thought might be the right tool. We decided to try the leaf blower on the stretch of sidewalk above Couples Club Field.
This worked very well, as long as there was no building in front of the direction I was blowing the sand (it seemed that this could be used for a large part of the sidewalk, but brooms and shovels would have to be used if a building was directly in front). As I was experimenting with the blower several people actually thanked me.
Route 100 is sanded many times during the winter and as cars and trucks drive on the road this sand is blown onto lawns and sides of buildings. When I was blowing the sand off the sidewalk some goes up in the air (just like you see on edges of lawns when they are cleaned).
As I was blowing sand, some person walked up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder and yelled at me, got in my face and acted ultra-belligerent and threatening and warned me not to get dust on the house he lives in. I told him I would stop; he kept up his rampage and I walked away.
I got home and had a message from the town that he complained. I could not go to the select board meeting Monday night because I had to attend a Passover Seder so I wrote an email with my explanation.
From what I understand the board is exploring actually spending tax money to get the sidewalks cleaned. I think this is an outrageous and unacceptable way to spend town money.
Michael Sharkey
Waitsfield
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