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Rice Pond Village Waiver Justifications
James Tetreault, the project engineer for the developer, submitted justifications for waivers associated with the Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project on February 21, 2024. However, these reasons lack merit and fail to prioritize the town's interests. There's a noticeable absence of citations or supporting evidence for the numerous waiver requests. It's apparent that the developers prioritize their own interests over those of Millbury residents, with a pattern of behavior indicating a disregard for rules and regulations.
Rising Threat: Potential Rental Market Monopoly In Millbury
In Millbury, there's a looming possibility of monopolies taking hold in the apartment rental sector, quietly shaping our community's housing landscape. These monopolies, potentially controlled by a few individuals using various corporations or a select few entities, could dictate rental prices, tenant options, and living standards. This dominance may lead to inflated rents, subpar living conditions, and limited housing choices, particularly affecting low- and middle-income families. Furthermore, the emergence of monopolies could stifle innovation, drive community displacement, and hinder fair competition.
Milton Rejects MBTA Communities Act
State officials are apprehensive that the Milton vote might embolden other communities to entertain the idea of non-compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, posing a significant setback to Governor Healey’s efforts to expand affordable housing. Numerous municipal officials are closely monitoring Milton's "no" vote to gauge the state's resolve in enforcing the new legislation.
Affordable Homes Act
Governor Maura Healey has presented the Affordable Homes Act to the legislature for review and potential implementation, as announced in her latest State of the Commonwealth address. Among its provisions, one aspect of this proposed legislation is the allowance of "Accessory Dwelling Units" (ADUs) in all residential zoning districts statewide, designated as an "as of right" provision, which is subject to amendments and the likely implementation of local zoning bylaws or ordinances which are subject to review by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Attorney General’s Bylaw Review department
Millbury's Water Supply Struggle
Discover the urgent realities of water scarcity in Millbury and the looming risks it poses to the community's safety and well-being. Uncover the fragile reliance on neighboring cities for water supply and the alarming consequences of potential shortages, from compromising daily necessities to endangering lives during firefighting efforts. Delve into the critical discussions with the Millbury Fire Chief regarding supplementary water sources and the town's already overstretched reliance on external water provisions. With detailed insights from Aquarion Water Company's reports, grasp the gravity of Millbury's water deficit and its implications for future development. Amidst Worcester's burgeoning construction and escalating water demand, the imperative for Millbury to secure local water sources becomes unmistakably clear. Ignoring this imperative risks not only the town's future but also the fundamental essence of life itself.
Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #4
Maybe I am premature in this, but it doesn’t seem like we’re calling up the elephant in the room. The width of Rice Road, a project this size requires 32 feet [of pavement width]; the height of the buildings, 65.5 feet; and the zoning in that area is 30 feet [maximum building height]. Waivers of this magnitude are ridiculous. They shouldn’t be granted. This project does not belong in this area. They were before the planning board for almost a year, ten months, and we danced. And if you read the letter that the [planning board] chair and I sent, the reasons for the denial were in the letter, and [the denial decision] was written by town counsel. So, they are all legitimate reasons, the reasons for the denial. This project does not belong on Rice Road. The height is too high. The road can’t handle it. The railroad tracks are a problem, which was a sticking issue with the planning board. We had an estimate for the railroad tracks. I still have it. The developer would not fix it. If the project goes through, the town is going to be on the hook for Rice Road, that railroad tracks, Providence Street, and possibly South Main Street. The project does not belong in this area. If you require that many waivers, that means the project does not belong there. It’s a very simple computation. It’s very simple.