Under the proposal, sidewalks could be built on four segments of McKee Road, two segments of Nesbitt Road and one segment each of Osmundsen Road, Richardson Street, Lacy Road and Williamsburg Way.

The proposal bars new sidewalks in other existing neighborhoods, but it includes exceptions, such as if Fitchburg police and the city’s Public Works staff deem an area as a threat to public safety. Also, sidewalks could be added on any street undergoing reconstruction.

“(The plan) is a smokescreen to add more sidewalks later on,” said Richard Bloomquist, a former City Council member.

Ald. Jason C. Gonzalez said the members of the special committee — all appointed by Arnold — who drafted the proposal need to make the language easy to understand and remove all of the exceptions. “Sometimes exceptions become the rule. People are looking for clarity,” he said.

Gonzalez said afterward that Arnold’s plan faces an uphill battle. Four City Council members, including council President Dan Carpenter, are expected to introduce the 2010 plan for reapproval, and Gonzalez said it has the five votes needed to pass. But Arnold said he will veto it, and Gonzalez said he wasn’t sure if they have a sixth vote needed to override the veto.