After a spirited discussion, the Conservation Commission voted unanimously last week to exchange a small piece of conservation land along Ayer Road for another piece nearby. The vote was a necessary first step toward the possible construction of a roundabout at Gebo Lane to slow traffic on Ayer Road.
Several members of the commission—including Chairman Paul Willard and Jim Breslauer—made it clear that they were far from convinced a roundabout was the best solution for the traffic problem. Among other, simpler ways to slow traffic on the busy road, Willard suggested more police enforcement. “Get those blue lights flashing,” he said.
But Selectman Stu Sklar, who was present along with Planning Board Chairwoman Kara Minar to advocate for the vote, said the selectmen did not want to spend any more money researching whether or not the roundabout was a good idea until they knew it was at least a possibility. Without ConCom’s unanimous vote for the land swap, a roundabout would be impossible.
Sklar said a first step in traffic calming would be the installation next July of at least two yellow electronic flashing signs that display the speeds of cars approaching the signs. Both he and Minar emphasized that any roundabout would require approval from both town meeting and the state.
Commission members specified that an area near the Lancaster County Road bridge should become conservation land in exchange for the land they are giving up. They also asked for an engineered plan to deal with road runoff and erosion along Ayer Road from the bowling alley to Bowers Brook.
