Maynard Road Safety Panel Flags Walnut Street Crosswalk as Urgent Hazard

MAYNARD -- January 22, 2026, Maynard's Road Safety Committee identified faded crosswalks, a missing stop signs, and inadequate pedestrian signals at key downtown intersections at its January 22 meeting. Chair Mario Damiata presented preliminary findings from an audit of the Parker Street, Waltham Street, and Powder Mill Road intersection, documenting ADA-noncompliant curb ramps, pedestrian signal cycles committee members described as dangerously short, and crosswalks he called "unobtrusive." A meeting guest identified as Seth urged the committee to prioritize the intersection of Walnut Street and Main Street, where three crosswalks exist alongside only one stop sign, a condition he called "kind of dumb", warning that a new promenade expected to open this spring will sharply increase foot traffic at the site. Damiata also reported that Maynard recorded 113 crashes in 2025, down roughly 8.87 percent from 124 in 2024, while noting a discrepancy of 40 to 45 reports between Maynard Police Department records and the state database. The town's Planning Department recently received an $875,000 complete streets planning grant for the Powder Mill Road corridor, and the committee is seeking a liaison to that effort.