At the recent Village of East Williston Board meeting, the mayor and trustees introduced a new project, proposing to construct a sidewalk along parts of East Williston Avenue, so neighbors can be better protected from the busy street.

Families in East Williston inquired about better ways for their children to safely cross from one area of the community to another a few years ago. Neighbors suggested that a traffic light or stop sign should be placed on the intersection of Roslyn Road and East Williston Avenue. The village decided to create a safer crosswalk at that intersection, but then soon realized the crosswalk was not utilized due to the lack of sidewalks across the street.

Bonnie Parente, mayor of East Williston, met with the community at the monthly June and July village board meetings to discuss ways to tackle this issue. After speaking with community members, she said the village is planning to construct a new sidewalk in East Williston to combat the safety issue along East Williston Avenue.

“There are sidewalks on the southwest part of the intersection, but not the southeast, which goes towards Northside Elementary School,” Parente said.

The current plan is to install sidewalks on the southeast corner. However, at the June village board meeting, a resident at the opposite side of the street asked if the village would consider putting a sidewalk on the northeast side of the intersection. Parente said this would also be a good idea.

The sidewalk abruptly ends in front of Christian Science Reading Rooms. It does not continue until after passing five private properties and Northside Elementary School. Parente said she called up the five homeowners and they were “overwhelmingly in support” of the idea to add a sidewalk.

“It would not encroach on their own properties at all and would enhance the area and even prevent what sometimes happens, which is large trucks parking on the apron in front of their houses,” Parente said.

During the following board meeting in July, two residents expressed concern about the project. They said the village should be able to challenge speeding cars and other issues that might satisfy the problem instead of adding a sidewalk.

“Even though there were residents in the room disagreeing with each other, it was a very respectful and constructive meeting,” Parente said.

Parente said her next step is to obtain drawings from engineers. After this, she will show the community the drawings and continue to solicit feedback before moving forward with the project.