At its Jan. 13 meeting, Clinton’s Board of Selectmen approved an expenditure of up to $28,000 to assess the feasibility of installing a sidewalk from the current Morgan School to the new campus, situated less than half a mile up the road.

Public Works Director Peter Neff said the survey would determine private property lines and rights-of-way, delineate utility pole placements, designate wetlands, and examine issues such as curbing, drainage, and snow shelf areas.

“To be honest, no one can guarantee that there’s enough right-of-way property to do this,” said Neff, who reported that the initial cost estimate for a study was “in the $70,000 to $90,000 range.”

In his report to the selectmen last Wednesday, he noted that he was able to secure a significantly lower estimate—roughly $28,000—from two civic and environmental engineering firms based in New Haven and Chester.

The development comes as good news to groups like the Bike and Pedestrian Alliance of Clinton (BPAC), which has lobbied for a sidewalk that was not included in the $65 million budget for the new Morgan School.

Responding to concerns about the cost of installing a sidewalk, BPAC member Carrie Allen said, “If they think a sidewalk is expensive, they haven’t considered the cost if a child is killed on busy Route 81.”

Parents of The Morgan School students have expressed similar misgivings about the lack of a sidewalk connecting the new school campus with places their children walk to, including the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets (where some students have after-school jobs), and Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s also anticipated that the interchange zone—site of the current Morgan School, which is expected to be developed into a retail area with a hotel, restaurants, and housing—will become a destination for Morgan students.

First Selectman Bruce Farmer said he’s heard from “numerous concerned parents” about the absence of provisions for a sidewalk connecting the new Morgan School with these areas and believes it’s important for the town to investigate the possibilities.

If a sidewalk cannot be built along the entire half-mile stretch on one side of Route 81, said Farmer, the town may consider crosswalks and sidewalk areas on the opposite side of the road.

“We are 100 percent behind the Board of Selectmen’s decision to carry out a feasibility study on the sidewalk extension to the new Morgan,” said BPAC Chair Debbie Lundgren.

Lundgren noted that if the town prepares a preliminary project design, state funding for the sidewalk extension may be available through the Department of Transportation’s Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program.

Selectman John Giannotti moved to approve funding the feasibility study, up to $28,000. Lynn Pinder seconded.

Selectman Carol Walter expressed doubts about whether many students travel Route 81 on foot and raised concerns about the price tag of the study.

“Twenty-eight thousand dollars to assess 2,900 feet of sidewalk?” she asked.

“Unless we do the survey,” said Farmer, “we don’t know what barriers we’re up against. I’m all for it.”