As a long-time Newton resident who regularly visits Nonantum — and as the wife of an Italian-American — I was shocked and disappointed to see the traditional green, white, and red center lines on Adams Street erased by the DPW last Thursday night.
This action is especially upsetting given the upcoming 90th Festa of the St. Mary of Carmen Society, taking place July 16–20. The traditional Sunday night candlelight procession will again travel from Pellegrini Park to Our Lady’s Church on Adams Street, where the beloved Flight of the Angel will occur. Removing these heritage lines just before this celebration shows a troubling lack of cultural sensitivity.
While Adams Street is considered a collector street per a 2015 study, the City has never before required that it have yellow center lines. There exists no specific, recent, daily vehicle count for Adams Street. Furthermore, Massachusetts law does not mandate yellow lines on all collector streets; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices offers guidance, not absolute rules.
The Mayor claims to have worked with a “group” on this decision, but Festival organizers have said that they were not notified that the traditional green, white, and red center lines were going to be replaced with double yellow lines, and residents report receiving no notice of the City’s plan to remove them. This lack of transparency and communication is unacceptable.
I respectfully urge the City to correct this error and restore the traditional green, white, and red lines on Adams Street in time for this year’s celebration. This small act would show respect for Nonantum’s vibrant Italian-American heritage and help preserve a cherished tradition for future generations.
Anne Goldbach
Newtonville
