Heatherstone Road’s traffic safety concerns commanded attention as residents voiced divergent opinions on the implementation of roundabouts, speed limit reductions, and sidewalk installations. The urgency of the matter was underscored by community members emphasizing the risks to pedestrians, particularly children, due to speeding vehicles. The proposal to reduce the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour was a key topic, with Becca Watkins advocating for prompt action to enhance neighborhood safety. Howard Hannah supported the retention of the median strip as a traffic calming feature, while Patricia Applebomb raised concerns about the environmental impact of additional paving associated with roundabout installations.

Contrasting views on infrastructure changes manifested in residents’ testimonies. Elizabeth Lingo supported enhancing pedestrian safety through the addition of sidewalks, whereas Kitty Axelon Barry argued against them, citing maintenance challenges and potential narrowing of the road. Christopher Budnick was concerned about the median’s impact on pedestrian safety, while Helen Sternheim and Michael underscored the need to maintain the neighborhood’s rural character and address potholes and speeding, respectively. Alisa Martinez proposed alternative designs to roundabouts to preserve the road’s aesthetic and create pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Discussions extended beyond Heatherstone Road, touching on the broader Kushman neighborhood’s speed limits and the process for implementing changes. The necessity of a public listening session or hearing for community input was debated, with a focus on including the Disability Access Advisory Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee in discussions on bike, pedestrian, and disabled resident safety.

Belchertown Road’s improvement plan was also on the agenda, buoyed by a $750,000 state grant for sidewalk upgrades linked to affordable housing development. The project aims to add bike lanes and a crosswalk near Colonial Village, facilitating access to bus stops. The urgency of utilizing grant funds contrasted with calls for a listening session to gather community feedback and input from the Transportation Advisory Committee and Disability Access Advisory Committee.

The committee reviewed a Request for Information on organics collection, exploring vendor services and the feasibility of an in-house program. The conversation highlighted considerations for staffing and resources if the town were to self-manage the program. Additionally, the potential shift to a single stream recycling program was discussed, with debates over the practicality of a pay-as-you-throw system within automated collection, concerns about pest attraction in warmer months, and capacity issues. More information was sought from Zero Waste Amherst and other municipalities for informed decision-making.