At the June 24, 2024 Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board voted to reduce Hancock Street's speed limit from 40MPH to 25MPH. The change was prompted by years of Hancock Street residents reaching out to the board and Town Manager with safety concerns. The speeding and safety concerns were also discussed at the January 8, 2024 meeting where several residents spoke on the issue.
The Board was able to change the speed limit due to the passage of a 2023 Town Meeting article “Local Option to Establish Designated Safety Zones” which allows towns to address traffic and pedestrian safety issues in thickly settled neighborhoods and business districts by reducing speed limits to 25MPH. MGL c. 90 § 17C, the section of the Massachusetts General Law which allows for the change, only allows the lowering of the speed limit to 25MPH.
Future changes to Hancock Street
MassDot will begin construction of a roundabout, geometric and elevation realignment and improved pedestrian and bike accommodations at the Hancock and Chestnut Street intersection in the Federal Fiscal Year of 2026 (The Federal FY2026 runs October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026).