Winchester Residents Object to Aberjona River-Widening Project

Winchester is moving forward with the

Beginning this summer and continuing into the fall, the town will by 15 feet, which would limit the amount of flooding from the Aberjona. Construction needs to take place during the river’s low-flow period, which is between July and October.

At Monday night’s meeting residents showed up to voice their displeasure with the final design that was approved by the board last year.

Concerns over the project ranged from the removal of the cherry trees along Mystic Valley Parkway to the diminished sidewalk and loss of parking spaces across from Manchester Field.

According to Acting Town Manager, Mary Ellen Lannon, the bids for the project are scheduled to open on Wednesday, June 29. And one of the issues Town Management is working to address is the removal of the cherry trees. Lannon said that the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) requested the removal of the trees, and the town will try to limit number removed.

But Dave Anderson of the Design Review Committee, along with other residents expressed concern over the change in the sidewalk along the river.

“It’s going to be the street, a sidewalk, then a guardrail and a 45-degree slope down to the river,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be very different than what people are used to. If a child crawls under the guardrail and then you have a 45-degree slope down to the water that’s not a recoverable slope. Would you be able to see the kid? Isn’t this a safety issue?”

Anderson said that there would also be a loss of 20 to 30 parking spaces along Mystic Valley Parkway because of the sidewalk.

The Aberjona is to be widened between Waterfield Road and Mystic Avenue to minimize the amount of flood-waters that overflow onto and into the Manchester Road neighborhood. Over the last 15 years, Winchester has suffered more than $25 million worth of flood damage due to the Aberjona River.

“People in town are regularly flooded,” said Selectman Roger Berman. “This has been a long-term public process. The Planning Board has been part of this process every part of the way. The businesses in downtown have suffered mightily. It’s time we move forward.”

Other residents were concerned over the removal of vegetation and trees along Mystic Valley Parkway. Mary McKenna suggested the board hold off on this area of the project and continue the discussion.

“This is work that’s scheduled to take place at the end of the project,” McKenna said. “I urge you to put aside this piece of the project. It will not slow down the rest of the work.”

But Selectman Jim Johnson said that it’s time construction begins.

“I’m shocked and appalled at this reaction,” said Johnson to a displeased crowd. Chair Forrest Fontana needed to call the audience to order.

“There are people out there that had to deal with two decades of flooding,” Johnson continued. “This community has to bend. There are people getting flooded and there’s nothing worse than walking into your home and your knee-deep in water.

“This is a comprehensive program and people are concerned over some trees. Our main goal is flooding, to improve the quality of life and to address these public safety issues.”

The board said that they are willing to listen to suggestions, but the river-widening project will be moving forward this fall.