By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Causeway boardwalk is known for attracting attention.

Typically, the Causeway turns heads because of its aesthetics and because of the views of natural scenery it offers.

Recently, it has attracted some attention as residents asked the Naples Board of Selectmen to budget funds for winter-time maintenance of the boardwalk. 

There was a concern that removing snow and exposing the boardwalk to additional salt and sand would shorten the life of a new stain product that will be put down this year.

This spring, the company Knowles Industrial Services Corp., based in Gorham, will be removing the existing stain and applying a product on the surface of the boardwalk, which is stamped concrete.

On Monday — the same night that residents asked for snow removal to be budgeted — the town manager updated the selectmen on the guarantees for the stain job as well as the required maintenance.

“Last time we met, you asked about warranties offered on the proposed work for the Causeway sidewalk,” Naples Town Manager John Hawley said.

“Knowles Industrial states that there is a one-year workmanship warranty because it is not known fully what is in the original concrete mix,” he said.

“The good new is that we do know the product has been used elsewhere with good success so hopefully the product will hold up well here,” he said.

“As far as ongoing maintenance, a full recoating, as long as there is a touch up from year to year, will only need to be done every four to five years,” Hawley said.

That depends on wear and tear, he added.  

Many people who were pushing for removing snow from the sidewalks said that a walkway on the Long Lake side of the Causeway is preferable. It is closer to the water. Also, there are already parking spots on that side of Roosevelt Trail.

However, some people thought the sidewalks on the opposite side, on the Brandy Pond side would be a more suitable option.

Selectman Kevin Rogers said the Long Lake side “is the decorative section. There is no reason we cannot do the other side.”

“Eventually, we will have to clear the sidewalks,” Rogers said.

Additionally, there are roads such as Route 114 and Lambs Mill Road that intersect with the sidewalks on that side.

Resident Bob Nyberg said the Brandy Pond side was a wiser decision for snow removal based on more adverse weather conditions on the Long Lake side. 

“Snow-blowing the side that is on the lake [would work] if it is sunny and nice out. If it is snowy, forget it. The wind comes across the lake and it blows the snow onto the sidewalk,” he said, adding “This has been a pretty mild winter.”

In related business, which is making the Causeway more friendly for walkers, the selectmen signed the bond documents for the upcoming Route 302-35 construction project. Part of that construction project is the installation of sidewalks plus pedestrian pleasing features like crosswalk signals.