Scenic Roads
Westford, Massachusetts
Scenic Road Bylaws are an effective, although limited, method of maintaining the rural character of scenic roads. A Scenic Road designation provides limited protection from actions resulting from the repair, maintenance, reconstruction, or paving of the road that would involve the cutting or removal of trees or the tearing down, destruction or alteration of stonewalls, or portions of stone walls, within the public right of way. On a Scenic Road, such actions are subject to a public hearing and approval by the Planning Board before they could proceed.
A town may designate Scenic Roads under Section 15C, Chapter 40 of the General Laws of Massachusetts. Recommendations for such designations may come from the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, or Historical Commission. The process involves a petition to the Planning Board, coordination with the Highway Department, a public hearing, and the placing of the bylaw on the Warrant for a Town Meeting to obtain voter approval.
Westford enacted a Scenic Roads Bylaw at the Second Adjourned Annual Town Meeting held May 10, 1995. Under this by-law, the following streets and roads have been designated Scenic Roads:
Westford enacted a Scenic Roads Bylaw at the Second Adjourned Annual Town Meeting held May 10, 1995. Under this by-law, the following streets and roads have been designated Scenic Roads:
- Hildreth Street
- Old Lowell Road
- Vose Road
- Old Road (STM October 1997, submitted by Old Road resident petition, supported by WHC)
- Gould Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)
- Leland Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)
- Stony Brook Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)
- Chamberlain Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)
- Hunt Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)
- Frances Hill Road (ATM May 2006, submitted by WHC, with Planning Board support)