Winchester Selectmen Approve Main Street Changes

It is called the "Main Street Traffic Calming Project," but in reality it's a simple message to drivers in Winchester: Slow Down.

At Monday night's Winchester Board of Selectmen meeting the board voted 5-0 to approve two Main Street projects that had been recommended by the Traffic Review Committee. The goal was to improve pedestrian safety at two Main Street crossing points, much as the town had done earlier on Pond Street, Church, Johnson, and Highland Ave.

Leading the discussion was DPW Director Jay Gill, along with Town Engineer Beth Rudolph. The first project was to install a curb bump-out and rectangular rapid flashing beacon at the intersection of Main Street and Hemingway. Numerous concerned Hemingway residents were in attendance with some complaining about the speed of drivers in the area.

The second area approved was the south portion of the intersection between Main and Sheridan Circle.

According to Rudolph, the Hemingway project would cost roughly $70-80,000 with the Sheridan project slightly less. The two projects will soon go out to bid. And to those in town who'd like something similar on their streets, chair Mike Bettencourt reminded residents that the town can't do everything because, "there is a significant cost to the town."

The meeting started with Bettencourt reflecting on Saturday's tragedy at the library in which 22-year-old Deane Kenny Stryker was stabbed to death. Jeffrey Yao was arrested and arraigned on murder charges Monday. Bettencourt called Stryker "an amazing woman who was near and dear to many in this community." He also praised 77-year-old Lester Taber for "risking his own life to try and save the young woman."

Photo by Bob Holmes