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10/01/2015 12:01 AMAlthough Guilford’s 375th anniversary year ended many months ago, one of the good works done by the Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee will live on for years in the form of the sidewalk that has been installed at the northern end of the Guilford Green. Thanks to the sponsors, businesses, and individuals who generously supported the 375th anniversary, the committee had enough money not only to fund a year of events, but also to leave a lasting gift for the people of Guilford.
For some reason lost in history, the Green has had sidewalks on three sides, but none on the Broad Street end between Park and Whitfield streets. This prevented walkers, runners, and strollers from making a complete circuit, forcing them to cross the street to do so. Now, they will be able to make a loop around the entire Green even in winter because care was taken to place the walk a sufficient distance from the street so that it wouldn’t be covered by snow banked up by plows. Additionally, people will be able to access the bus stop via a short walkway connected to the sidewalk.
The idea for the installation came from Guilford Green Committee member Rob Leete, whose wife Susan asked him why there was no sidewalk at the northern end of the Green. Rob raised the issue with the committee, which explored the possibility of installing a walk. The problem? No money to do it.
Fortunately, Stephen Page, a Guilford Green Committee member and also a member of the Guilford 375th Anniversary, knew where to get the money. Page was aware that the Anniversary Committee wanted to make a permanent gift to Guilford, so he suggested funding the sidewalk, and the committee agreed that such an expenditure could benefit everyone. First Selectman Joe Mazza and Town Engineer Jim Portley coordinated the installation. Today, residents and visitors can see a plaque embedded in the walk commemorating this gift.