Sussex County is planning a project to upgrade the walkways around Milton library, with the project planned to be completed by the end of June.

Mark Parker, assistant county engineer, told Milton Town Council April 6 that the county, which owns and operates the library, has identified a number of physical deficiencies with the sidewalk, including cracking, settlement and material separation. Parker said besides representing a safety issue, the walkway is also in noncompliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. 

Parker said the county would like to fix up the brick walkway on the north side of the library that leads to Milton Memorial Park and the rear walkway behind the library that includes the handicapped ramp. He said the county is currently reviewing bids for the project. 

The project does include some bid alternates, including extending the brick walkway into town land to connect to the footbridge behind the library. Parker asked council to waive the town’s building permit fees – about $2,000 – if that bid alternate becomes part of the project. 

Council members questioned whether it should waive the fees, but Mayor John Collier said given that the county was taking on and funding this project, and the town has granted waivers to the county for projects before, he supported granting the waiver.

Council ended up approving the waiver for the county by unanimous vote.