FREEPORT – Accessibility is a problem in Freeport for people who lack mobility, and it’s a problem that might be impacting the town’s economic vitality, according to a woman who moved back to town last year.

Sally Walsh, in a letter to both the Town Council and to Town Planner Donna Larson, wrote that only after breaking her leg last year did she come to realize “how inaccessible Freeport is to those with limited mobility.”

But while the Town Council will address transportation issues on Dec. 3, with the possibility that ITNAmerica might expand its service to Freeport, town officials contacted by Tri-Town Weekly have not heard such complaints on a widespread basis.

“I would assume that buildings downtown are handicapped-accessible,” Town Council Chairman James Hendricks said Monday. “Some may not be as accessible as others. Some may be grandfathered.”

Sande Updegraph, executive director of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, said Monday that any new construction in Freeport Village must be handicapped accessible. The chamber does not advocate in such a situation, Updegraph said, and would not advocate for the businesses grandfathered to be compelled to make changes.

Updegraph said she has not heard similar complaints.

“This one from Sally Walsh is the only one I’ve been aware of,” she said.

During a Town Council meeting Nov. 12, Walsh, a retired nurse, provided councilors with copies of her letter. Walsh said she has been in contact with her councilor, Kristina Egan of District 3, who recommended the letter to Larson.

“This has a larger impact than one would think,” Walsh continued in the letter. “Not only does it limit the use of the town by its citizens, but it also deters a large population group who would come and provide an economic benefit to the town coffers.

More specifically, Walsh went on to mention people who are crutch- or wheelchair-dependent, amputees, the elderly and people with extremity weaknesses. Families with carriages and strollers also are limited on the town’s streets and in its businesses, she says.

Walsh suggested increasing the number of handicapped parking, asking business owners to widen their doors and install door switches, purchasing and installing scooters with power-charging stations and providing a small transport van.

Egan has been responsive to her concerns, Walsh said.

ITNAmerica is a membership-based organization that provides rides by drivers in private automobiles. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be booked at any time.

“If the council supports the plan,” Egan said, “then we will support the grant proposal that ITN will submit to foundations in order to support service in Freeport. The goal is to help people with mobility challenges, particularly our elders, get rides to places they want to go. It relies on volunteers in the community, who would provide rides and then get credits.”

Walsh said she appreciates Egan’s suggestion. The accessibility problem in Freeport does go deeper, she said.

“The population I’m looking at doesn’t have to be age-related,” Walsh said. “It’s a really good goal, but it doesn’t address some of the other issues I brought up.”