AMHERST — Residents of the Echo Village neighborhoods between Pelham and Belchertown roads appear to be mostly supportive of a project that will bring sidewalks, three mini roundabouts and possibly lower speed limits to the streets.

At a recent Town Services and Outreach Committee meeting, many who spoke said the planned Heatherstone Road improvements between Pelham Road and Aubinwood Road, which will include resurfacing, are necessary, even if it means removal of the planter median.

Pippa Comfort of Heatherstone Road said she has been concerned about safety for the 16 years she has lived in the neighborhood and supports speed reduction, sidewalks and the three pilot roundabouts. “While the median is a beautiful addition to our neighborhood, when I am walking that strip of the road I have to step up into the woods to avoid the risk of being hit by passing cars,” Comfort said.

“I love this plan because it’s about pedestrian safety — that is the main goal,” said Elizabeth Lingo of Heatherstone Road.

Christopher Budnick of Aubinwood Road said there is no room on Heatherstone to push a stroller, and the median removal is sensible. “We’re launching into people’s properties, we’re getting covered in snow and sleet,” Budnick said about his experiencing walking with his children on the street.

Howard Hanna of Heatherstone Road said the median, though, is a visual cue to drivers that they are leaving a main road for a residential neighborhood. “We just need the road repaved, we need the speed reduced, and we’d like to keep the median in place, because we know that to be an effective speed control,” Hanna said.

Patricia Appelbaum of Aubinwood Road said her concern is about adding pavement through roundabouts and reducing the natural landscape, suggesting speed bumps instead.

And Helen Sternheim, of Heathertsone Road, a 59-year resident of the street, said there is no need for sidewalks, and the construction of mini roundabouts seems like “overkill.” “Sidewalks would certainly eliminate the country feel of the neighborhood, which is what many of us moved here for,” Sternheim said.

Financial literacy through Ancestral Bridges

Ancestral Bridges Foundation recently received a $7,000 grant from Greenfield Savings Bank to provide a financial literacy program designed for Black, Indigenous and people of color, as well as disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors in Amherst.

Stemming from the foundation’s focus on the racial wealth gap and obstacles to wealth in BIPOC communities, the program aims to provide essential skills in saving, investing, and planning for financial freedom. A significant portion of the grant will be dedicated to a student investment seed fund. Participants will receive a $100 stipend and be encouraged to open a bank account. The remainder will be deposited at various milestones, incentivizing students to contribute funds from other sources such as allowances and gifts.

Workshops and seminars, conducted by teachers, financial experts, certified financial planners and industry professionals, will cover topics such as budgeting, credit and debt, the power of compounding and retirement planning. Hands-on activities, including stock market simulations and budgeting challenges, will be integrated into lessons.

“We believe that empowering young minds with financial literacy is a cornerstone for a secure future,” Ancestral Bridges founder Anika Lopes said in a statement.

High school teacher Tom Fricke is spearheading the initiative.

Mexcalito moves

Mexcalito Taco Bar is relocating to the Trolley Barn on Cowls Road in North Amherst, keeping same management plan and seating chart as the previous tenant, Cisco’s Cafe.

Antonio Marquez Diaz told the Zoning Board of Appeals that he appreciates the new landlord, with lower costs, and there is less competition in the Mill District. Mexcalito will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with three meals served a day.

The business will apply for a liquor license so it can offer margaritas and cervezas with its tacos.

Zoning Board of Appeals member Hilda Greenbaum of Montague Road applauded the move. “We need a lunch place up here,” Greenbaum said.

New esthetics business

Just Body Glow, a skin care and waxing business, is opening at 17 Kellogg Ave.

Run by Chey Charvis, the location will offer natural and holistic body care. A ribbon-cutting by the Black Business Association of Amherst Area, with food, raffles and music, is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.

Authentic Selves exhibit

A photo exhibit from the book “Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and NonBinary People and Their Families,” edited by Peggy Gillespie, is being hosted by First Church Amherst, 165 Main St., throughout April.

An open house will be Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., with local speakers from the book. Then viewings will be April 9 and 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. and April 12, 13, 14 and 19 and 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Meetings

MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.

TUESDAY: Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.