Winchester Residents to Have Say in Aberjona River-Widening Project

In a little less than two weeks, on July 18, Winchester expects to award the contract for 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.

Over the past month, over the project, ranging from the removal of the cherry trees along Mystic Valley Parkway to the diminished sidewalk and loss of parking spaces across from

Residents can suggest alterations to the plan up until Wednesday, July 6. The and town management are also trying to schedule a public information session.

Dave Anderson of the Design Review Committee said that the proposed plan suggests changes that don’t necessarily need to be made, and that money could be used to beautify other areas of the project.

“There’s going to be a lot of plants that will be removed between Mystic Avenue and Bacon Street,” Anderson said. “Then they are going to be replaced, but that money could be better spent.”

Anderson, along with Juli Riemenschneider of the Design Review Committee, suggested adding more shrubbery and trees along Mystic Valley Parkway.

“The plan wants to include a pathway at , benches and additional trees at the field,” Anderson said. “It’s already a congested field. And the path and benches would come close to the foul territory. It’s hazardous, not logical or necessary.”

Selectman Roger Berman said that if these proposed changes could be monetized it would help the board potentially make some alterations.

“In the end, if it’s neutral that will help your argument,” Berman said of the cost.

However, Riemenschneider said that, it would be difficult to figure out the prices.

“Let’s say a new tree costs $800, but there’s going to be other costs besides that $800,” Riemenschneider said.

The public comment was originally scheduled for July 18, which is the same day the contract is to be awarded.

“To have a public discussion then three minutes later sign the contract, I don’t think that would be well-received,” said Planning Board member, Lance Grenzeback.

But Acting Town Manager, Mary Ellen Lannon was reluctant to push the contract signing back.

“If we delay the contract, we delay the timeline,” Lannon said.

The board, along with Lannon, hopes to have a public comment sometime in the next seven to 10 days, before the contract is awarded.