Weston committee demands near-term safety fixes at Highland-Route 20 intersection

WESTON -- October 18, 2023, Weston's Traffic and Sidewalk Committee ordered its engineering consultant to deliver a short-term safety plan for the dangerous Highland Street and Route 20 intersection at the November 29 meeting. Committee members and residents expressed frustration that more than $435,000 allocated for a signalized-intersection study has produced no updated design layouts since early 2023, with Town Engineer Jason LaVoy acknowledging VHB has roughly three months of remaining budget before additional funds would require a town meeting vote. "I don't think we're getting our money's worth right now," said a resident identified as Bruce during public comment. The committee also heard that the Community Preservation Committee voted October 16 to support funding for the Ash Street Trail and Walkway, sending the project to fall town meeting expected November 28. A separate eight-year-old dispute over who pays to revise crosswalk engineering plans at Highland Meadows remains unresolved, with the Select Board holding that Highland Meadows must cover revision costs.