Windham Planners to Host Workshop on Traffic Light Issue

Town planners will discuss the Route 111/111a traffic light issue Wednesday ahead of a discussion later this month between the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Board of Selectmen.

The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Development Department.

According to a report by the Eagle Tribune, the issue is coming before the  Windham Planning Board at the suggestion of alternate member Alan Carpenter.

Selectmen will host a workshop on July 22 where they will meet with Interstate 93 Project Manager Pete Stamnas.

A lengthy public hearing at Town Hall took place in May, attended mostly by those in favor of keeping the traffic light at the intersection.

Those who have come out against the signal have stated that their property investments were based on the plan approved by Selectmen in 2002.

That board decided that the signal would be removed, but Selectman Roger Hohenberger said during the May meeting that he doesn't believe it was the right decision.

Hohenberger served on the board 11 years ago when the decision was made.

Those in favor of keeping the signal, many of whom are business owners in the town's Gateway District, believe that removing the light will hurt their business.

The May meeting was attended by Stamnas, although he didn't speak during the forum.

The area of Windham surrounding the intersection has been touted as a potential hotbed for commercial development, with the largest example being the state-owned, vacant Applewood Golf Links property