At Millbury's special town meeting, the majority of registered voters rejected the zoning amendments required by the MBTA Communities Act, effectively placing the town in non-compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of January 1, 2025. With the threat of legal action looming, the Massachusetts Attorney General may need to seek a compromise with municipalities or reconsider the law. Millbury's proposed zoning overlay district, which allows defeated proposals to be reintroduced every 60 days, was seen as a strategy to push through unpopular decisions—a tactic that has sparked backlash in other towns.

The overwhelming vote against the zoning amendments sends a clear message that Millbury residents prefer smart, sustainable growth, not large-scale apartment developments. It’s time for the town to halt questionable waivers and variances and ensure that the Planning and Development Department, the Planning Board, and elected officials respect the will of the people. Civic engagement is critical for ensuring that Millbury remains a small town focused on its residents’ needs, not developer interests. Millbury’s residents must remain active in town meetings and hold officials accountable to secure meaningful, long-term change.

The New England Legal Foundation (NELF) has filed an amicus brief in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, supporting the Town of Milton in the case Attorney General v. Town of Milton, SJC-13580. This case addresses the enforceability of zoning “guidelines” issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) under the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act. NELF argues that these guidelines are not legally binding because they were not promulgated through the proper regulatory process required by the state’s Administrative Procedures Act (APA).