HAWLEY, PA —- Community members expressed concern over potentially unsafe sidewalks and bridges during an October 14 Hawley Borough Council meeting.

Grant Genzlinger, a member of the Downtown Hawley Partnership (DHP), said that while he understood that sidewalks were a property owner’s responsibility and not the borough’s, the DHP is actively coming up with creative solutions to present to the board soon.

Genzlinger added that the solution under discussion would be a beautification project near Main Avenue that would require some board assistance because “the borough is the enforcing agency.”

Aside from aesthetic concerns, one community member, Jacqueline Malis, said that the bridge on Main Avenue near the Dollar General was unsafe for handicapped residents.

“Three quarters of the people in this area are either handicapped, [or] have kids,” Malis, who is a wheelchair user, said. “I saw a six-year-old kid on the bridge trip over a hole and almost got swallowed in traffic. If that mother didn’t grab that kid at that very moment, that kid would’ve been run over by a 16-wheeler.”

Malis added that while repairs for the bridge are scheduled, the work wouldn’t be completed until 2028. She urged the board to take action soon, especially with winter approaching.

“All it would take is a couple bags of cement,” she pleaded.  “I’ll go do it with the sledgehammer myself if I have to.”

Malis said after seeing many residents get hurt or almost get hurt, she decided to create a petition. The petition has over 200 signatures, including one from Wayne County District Attorney A.G Howell. 

Solicitor Christian Weed explained that the bridge on Main Avenue is PennDOT’s responsibility, not the borough’s.

“If we could put a bag of concrete in there, we would.” he said. “Unfortunately, our hands are tied with regard to those.”

Malis asked if the board could pass along her petition and concerns to PennDOT and the state.

Weed agreed to do so.

The next Hawley Borough Council meeting is on November 12.

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