It shall be the duty of the owner of every lot or piece of land
in the Town of Kinderhook to keep the sidewalks in front of the premises
owned by him, them or it, if any, at all times in good repair and
in a safe condition for public use and free from all obstructions
or encumbrances so as to permit the public use thereof in an easy
and commodious manner. Said sidewalks shall be maintained and/or repaired
according to construction specifications established by resolution
of the Town Board and/or Town Engineer.
In case any sidewalk in said Town at any time, in the judgment
of the Town Highway Superintendent, requires repairing or improving,
said Town Highway Superintendent shall serve a notice upon the owner
of the lot or piece of land in front of which such sidewalk is out
of repair or in an unsafe condition requiring the owner or owners
thereof, within five days from the service of each notice, to repair
or improve such sidewalk so as to make the same in good repair and
in a safe condition. Such notice shall be served on such owner personally
or by leaving the same at the residence of such owner or owners with
a person of suitable age and discretion or by posting the same conspicuously
on such premises or by mailing the same addressed to such owner or
owners at their residence address. Where there are two or more owners
of any such property, service upon one of them shall be sufficient.
If any owner or owners shall neglect or refuse to repair or
improve such sidewalk within the time limited therefor by said notice,
the Town of Kinderhook shall forthwith make such repairs or improvements
in such manner as it shall deem proper and suitable and shall file
a certificate of the expense thereof, together with a description
of the property in front of which such improvement or repairs were
made, with the Town Clerk, who shall certify the same to the Town
Board at the next regular meeting thereafter. The expense of making
such improvement or repairs shall be paid by the owner of the property
abutting on the sidewalk improved or repaired and may be collected
in an action at law or assessed upon the adjoining land. Such assessments
shall be made and taxes levied.