Sia Stewart: Column on Main Street redesign ‘enlightening’

Thank you for the enlightening piece by Eric Winkler detailing the proposed redesign for Northampton’s Main Street (“Main Street redo a win for climate,” Gazette, Nov. 7). He addressed questions that wouldn’t even have occurred to me and answered them clearly and concisely.

This review gives me confidence in how the plan addresses traffic flow, pedestrian safety, the health of downtown businesses and civic life, and greater resilience to the increased heat and rainfall that we know are coming due to climate change.

I also appreciate the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission’s careful review and support for this plan. This is the kind of thoughtful, creative work that can make a big difference in how we respond to the changing needs of our communities and our climate. I also applaud their transparency in making their discussions and decisions easily available through minutes and recordings. I know the Open Meeting law requires this, but not every committee complies so willingly!

Sia Stewart

Conway