Every decision has its consequences, and Avalon Council got to experience Tuesday evening the consequence of deciding to cancel a sidewalk contract.

The sidewalk in question provides the only access to a two-family home owned by Denise L. Dyer at 609 N. Birmingham Ave. The sidewalk is the uppermost portion of a set of steps once maintained by the borough, but which have been closed for several years due to their decay and a price tag of more than $100,000 to rebuild them in compliance with federal regulations.

Council had voted, however, to spend $10,000 to repair the sidewalk area and upper steps so that tenants at 609 N. Birmingham had a way to safely access their homes.

Budget crunches earlier this year prompted council to rescind that contract, much to the dismay of an angry Dyer, who attended Tuesday’s council meeting.

Dyer said that she is unable to rent or sell the property, which she has owned since 1984 and lived in until four years ago when she got married, because of the condition of the steps and sidewalk, which are located on borough property.

She pointed out that property owners are fined and forced to repair sidewalks that have deteriorated, but somehow the borough does not extend those regulations to its own property.

“Why am I held to a higher standard than the borough of Avalon?” she asked.

Council members said that the project had not been abandoned, just delayed due to finances.

“we ran into some money troubles,” said vice president Patrick Narcisi, who chaired the meeting in the absence of president Ed Repp.

“I ran into some money troubles when I had to pay the trash bill for a property I can’t rent out,” Dyer responded.

Council members Ralph Cortese and Robert Powell said they would go over the borough’s budget in an attempt to find enough money to fix the sidewalk.