The Benefits of Quick, Creative Street Projects and an Opportunity to Reduce Speeding in Winthrop
Dear Editor,
Cities and towns across Massachusetts implemented a variety of changes to streets over the course of the pandemic, creating safer, more vibrant public spaces for all – particularly children and older adults, small business owners and employees, and essential workers. Winthrop was one of those communities, as we saw with the activation of sidewalks and parking lots for outdoor dining in ways we had never had never been able to enjoy before.
A new report provides results from 23 municipalities that pursued innovative street projects over the course of 2020 and 2021. These results show the projects reduced speeding and reckless driving, supported local businesses, and increased access to active transportation.
For example, in Topsfield, officials used haybales and pumpkins to make festive bump-outs at crosswalks that reduced vehicle speeds and made the crossings shorter and more visible. According to the report, pedestrians said it took them 30% less time to cross the street.
Ipswich created outdoor spaces with seating and tables so residents and visitors could gather safely. People could get takeout from downtown restaurants and then eat outside.
When Salem reduced the width of vehicles lanes, created separate bike lanes, and used markings and posts to increase awareness at driveways and intersections, there was an 8% drop in average vehicle speeds and a 61% drop in people driving over 40 miles per hour. In addition, Salem installed a bike-share program.
Visit www.streetimpactma.org to learn more and download the full report.
Fortunately, these improvements aren’t limited to other communities- thanks to the continuation of the highly successful Shared Streets grant program (via MassDOT) that has funded them. Here in Winthrop, we have already been the successful recipient of these funds in the past, including:
• 2021: Winthrop received $40,000.00 to purchase and install four new bus shelters (in process!)
• 2020: Winthrop received $105,000 to install parklets in local commercial districts and design and install signage for a town wide bicycle network (the parklets were deployed throughout the town).
Due to a sharp increase in traffic fatalities throughout the state in 2021, much of them a result of speeding, MassDOT has announced a new round of Shared Streets grant funding, this time targeted specifically at street interventions that lower vehicle speeds and reduce crashes.To help municipalities plan, they’ve released a new Safe Speeds website containing a robust toolbox of strategies that can be deployed and can be used in these grant proposals: https://www.mass.gov/safe-speeds
As the report states: “Using creative materials and methods, projects that often take years of study and construction were reimagined to deliver impacts overnight. While these projects may look simple – setting up a few chairs for strangers to talk, slowing down traffic so kids can play, and painting lanes to help buses move quicker – they strengthened community bonds, made our daily trips safer, and helped keep businesses afloat.â€
Please contact your Town Councilor if you would like to see efforts made to reduce speeding and make our streets safer for everyone here in Winthrop. The next deadline to request Shared Streets funding (zero municipal match) is 3/2/22.
Julia Wallerce
Looking Forward to Serving My Constituents
Dear Editor,
On January 18, I was appointed to be the Town Councilor for Precinct 2. As I have already sworn to do, I will faithfully perform the duties of this role impartially and to the best of my abilities. I will never compromise my ethics and will always vote for what I believe is right and best for Winthrop. I intend to serve with a fair and open-mind, while being analytical and thorough, resourceful and creative, and not deterred easily. I asked for this role because I love this town and believe I can help.
I am “all in†on Winthrop. I own a home here, I have two kids in the school system, and my parents and siblings live here also. I also own and operate a business in town, and I’m involved in many clubs and organizations through which I’ve developed many strong friendships.
To give you a little background of who I am, I grew up in Orono, Maine and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1995. I lived in Winthrop briefly with my best friend Eddie in 1996 and then returned to Winthrop in 2004 after marrying Angie in 2003. I had a career as a research analyst and ultimately became a Director of Research for a consulting firm before my sister Leila passed away from Leukemia in late 2005. That’s when I chose to pursue my passion for photography and officially launched Beacon Photography and Framing in Winthrop Center in 2007 and will celebrate 15 years in business on April 2022.
I have been actively involved in the community since moving to Winthrop, initially as a trustee of the condo association where we lived, and also as a coach for my kids’ sports teams with over 20 fun and winning seasons. Many people know me from the many events and fundraisers I’ve had at my gallery, or through my donation of framed Winthrop prints benefitting many people and organizations (i.e. David Green & Ramona Cooper Memorial, Mi Amore, Winthrop Police, Winthrop Veterans in Winthrop Housing, Viking Pride Foundation, Bike Winthrop, Winthrop Art Classrooms, Crossroads Homeless Shelter, CPYC Youth Sailing, Make a Wish Foundation, I LOVE Winthrop, etc.). I’m also a member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club, Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, Winthrop Art Assoc., and an officer at the Odd Fellows, where I help organize three blood drives per year. I strongly believe in the role of a community and Winthrop has a great one. Let’s keep it that way, by everyone doing their part and working together.
Lastly I would like to thank the town councilors who believed in me and I look forward to working with all the town councilors, as well as Karin Chavez and Kurt Millar in their respective committees. Karin and Kurt were both excellent candidates and I’m sure would’ve been great councilors. I also want to inform the residents of Precinct 2 that they can reach me through email [email protected] or by phone 617-846-1852 x1035 if they have any town issues I can help with or ideas to solve problems. In closing, I am honored to serve as Town Councilor and will do the best I can to help Winthrop.
John Munson
Town Councilor
Precinct 2