Winchester Unable to Prevent Freight Train Stops

in Winchester to make deliveries at Tighe Trucking.

Last week, Winchester residents showed up at the Board of Selectmen meeting to try and prevent the trains from stopping near their homes.

But according to Acting Town Manager, Mary Ellen Lannon, the town has no authority to prevent the trains from stopping at the Holton Street business.

“Based upon the documentation available, it was determined that Mr. Tighe was within his rights as a property owner to request the improvements be done to have freight deliveries to the industrial location on Holton Street,” Lannon said.

According to Winchester resident Susan Busher, a railroad switch has been established by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) at Cross Street at the request of Tighe Trucking, Inc. She said that a railroad siding will be installed that will bring freight trains off the commuter rail for the delivery to the back side of Tighe Trucking at 45 Holton Street.

“This isn’t going away,” said Winchester resident Lorraine Malloy. “They don’t consider the residents in what they do.”

According to Lannon, the town was unable to find a reason to prevent the trains from making stops.

• The building office said that the building is still conforming to a light industrial zone.
• The Conservation Commission stated the spur lied outside the flood plain.
• The Engineering office is trying to set up a meeting with the MBTA.

Busher said that if freight trains are allowed access in Winchester they would be making deliveries between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as to not impact the commuter rail schedule. She also said that the trains would create a lot of unnecessary noise in the area.

“We’re trying to make sure the town takes action,” Busher said.

Lannon told the residents that they could file a noise ordinance with the Board of Health for the noise that may be generated from the beeping and other noise the trucks could make. But an ordinance can’t be filed until the trains and trucks begin stopping in the area, so the town can measure the amount of noise the machinery is making.

“This isn’t going away,” Malloy said. “We’re not going to allow neighborhoods to be taken over by commercial destruction anymore. Time is of the essence.”

Lannon said besides the noise issue, the town does not appear to have any legal authority in the matter. However, she did say that she will try and set up a meeting between the parties.