Planning Board Discusses Town Center Initiative

The town of Winchester is working on revamping the downtown area around Main Street.

Thursday night that discussion continued as the Planning Board met to talk about the proposed changes.

The main topic of discussion was the Town Center Initiative – a major, multiple-faceted project dealing with several aspects of the downtown area. Prime on the Initiative's agenda was the widening of the Aberjona River in order to alleviate future flood problems.

In the past, these troubles have cost the town upwards of $25 million in property damages. The Board mentioned, "quality is of the essence" with this project in order for it to properly succeed and be worth the large costs.

A more detailed memorandum the Board wrote up details the widening, stating, the plan is to construct a "35-foot channel within the Aberjona River, and on Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) land, from Waterfield to Manchester Road, a distance of approximately 1,200 feet."

The Board urged for an "aesthetically pleasing as practicable" canal. The project will be built in conjunction with the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA), DCR, the Winchester Conservation Commission, US Army Corps Of Engineers.

Another part of the Town Center Initiative deals with the MBTA stations of Winchester and Wedgemere. The board talked about upgrades for handicap access as well as the possibility of re-doing the track switches.

A third major piece of the Initiative discussed was a researched and developed Parking Study to help increase parking space and help with traffic in the downtown area.

Planning Board member Lance Grenzeback said concerning the Parking Study, "It's time for us to step away from this, look at the technology, talk to people and businesses in town and see what would actually happen; it's still very much a work in progress."

The Board tasked Attorney Larry Murphy with reviewing the initial draft of the Town Center Initiative. Board Member Drew Bottaro stated, "Right now we are still in the capture of ideas phase in this projects inception."

Other issues raised later Thursday night were, 184 Ridge Street and the fact that it wasn't listed as a historical landmark despite the Board being led to believe it was, where the confusion rested and what that means for the town.

Subdivision actions, costs and scheduling, concerning Cobblestone Drive and Rock Avenue were also discussed.

The Board then spent the rest of the evening talking about revisions to town bylaws that they are in the process of ratifying. The laws looked at tonight dealt with demolition, signage, various financial updates to positions and projects, along with several other laws pertaining to human resources within the town's various engineering and public works departments.

The Board wrapped up the night with recommendations received for the future, as of yet unplanned projects, including correspondence with various other Planning Boards including the city of Woburn, National Grid and Massachusetts Historical Commission.