Photo: Town of Chelmsford
CHELMSFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Residents of North Chelmsford are fundraising to add a new embellishment to Vinal Square ahead of the state’s redesign project.
The Vinal Square Clock Committee is looking to install a 12-foot clock tower in the square, hoping to preserve the city’s historical significance. The committee is made up of long-time Chelmsford residents, including Committee Chair Bill Gilet, who’s kids are fifth generation residents of the town.
“People will really see a huge change [because] it won’t look like it does today,” Gilet told WBZ NewsRadio.
The committee is hoping to fundraise $35,000 to purchase and install the clock tower and has already raised around $12,000, a third of the total so far.
“It’s a bit old fashion, a bit antique, and given the history and some of that old fashion nature of North Chelmsford and Vinal Square, I thought it would fit in very well and the community would rally around it,” he added.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Town of Chelmsford are currently developing a multi-million dollar transportation and streetscape improvement project in Vinal Square.
According to the town’s Vinal Square Strategic Action Plan Committee 2021 survey, roadway and traffic safety in the area is a top concern for 46% of the surveyed residents, and support plans for a revamp.
However, Gilet said he wants to see a balance of modern development to the town while still preserving the old-fashion charm, adding “[the clock tower] would really fit in with North Chelmsford and Vinal Square, you know, just the sense of community that everybody has.”
The Vinal Square Clock Committee’s fundraiser can be found at vinalsquareclock.org.
The Vinal Square Safety Improvement project is still in the preliminary design phase, and MassDOT anticipates construction to begin in Fall 2028.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reports.