Blog Posts By Date

For your convenience, provided below is a listing in reverse chronological order each blog post published. This chronology includes the initial proposed 52-condominiums project, the reduction to 46-condominiums, the denial by the Millbury Planning Board, and the negotiations to an anticipated submission as 192-apartments under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40B (the affordable housing statute) at 17 Rice Road in Millbury, Massachusetts, on or after February 14, 2023; as well as other neighborhood and community-related blog posts.

December 2024 1
- Dec 14, 2024 The Massachusetts Housing Market: Not A Shortage But An Affordability Crisis Dec 14, 2024
November 2024 4
- Nov 16, 2024 The Real Impact Of The MBTA Communities Act Revealed Nov 16, 2024
- Nov 11, 2024 Millbury Rejects MBTA Zoning Amendments, Sends Clear Message Nov 11, 2024
- Nov 9, 2024 MBTA Communities Act Defeated By Millbury Nov 9, 2024
- Nov 7, 2024 Article 8 - A Threat To Millbury’s Future Nov 7, 2024
September 2024 1
- Sep 18, 2024 State Should Follow Its Own Law Before Enforcing Compliance By Others Sep 18, 2024
August 2024 5
- Aug 30, 2024 Rice Pond Village Project Appeal Filed Aug 30, 2024
- Aug 14, 2024 Millbury Board Of Appeals Approved Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village Project Aug 14, 2024
- Aug 14, 2024 MBTA Communities Act Is Not Just Zoning Aug 14, 2024
- Aug 10, 2024 The Impact Of Corporate Dominance On The Rental Market Aug 10, 2024
- Aug 6, 2024 The Myth of Housing Supply and Demand: A Modern Trickle-Down Fallacy Aug 6, 2024
July 2024 5
- Jul 31, 2024 Next Up: Exploiting The MBTA Communities Act Jul 31, 2024
- Jul 26, 2024 Decision Time For Rice Pond Village 2.0 Jul 26, 2024
- Jul 22, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 24, 2024 Jul 22, 2024
- Jul 6, 2024 Don’t Boston My Millbury Jul 6, 2024
- Jul 5, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 10, 2024 Jul 5, 2024
June 2024 7
- Jun 25, 2024 Protect The Rice Pond Wetlands Habitat Jun 25, 2024
- Jun 24, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - June 26, 2024 Jun 24, 2024
- Jun 24, 2024 Neighborhood Rebuttal To Developers Responses Jun 24, 2024
- Jun 24, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #11 Jun 24, 2024
- Jun 12, 2024 Developers Reject Most Of The Neighborhood Conditions Jun 12, 2024
- Jun 10, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - June 12, 2024 Jun 10, 2024
- Jun 6, 2024 Introduction to Chapter 40B Subsidized Housing Inventory Jun 6, 2024
May 2024 8
- May 31, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #10 May 31, 2024
- May 27, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - May 29, 2024 May 27, 2024
- May 14, 2024 Boston Tea Party 2.0 Unfolding May 14, 2024
- May 13, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #8 May 13, 2024
- May 13, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - May 15, 2024 May 13, 2024
- May 10, 2024 Rice Pond Village Alternate Site Plan May 10, 2024
- May 3, 2024 MBTA Communities Act Myths & Facts May 3, 2024
- May 1, 2024 Millbury Residents Intervene In MBTA Communities Act Lawsuit May 1, 2024
April 2024 8
- Apr 29, 2024 Housing Mandates Uses California As Template Apr 29, 2024
- Apr 24, 2024 Planning Board 2024 Candidates Apr 24, 2024
- Apr 22, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - April 24, 2024 Apr 22, 2024
- Apr 19, 2024 Unpacking Urban Affordability: Reimagining Land Markets For Inclusive Housing Apr 19, 2024
- Apr 17, 2024 The Pitfalls of Local Incumbents: When Representation Fails To Serve Apr 17, 2024
- Apr 10, 2024 5 Reasons Why There Isn’t A Housing Shortage Apr 10, 2024
- Apr 6, 2024 Balancing Development: Prioritizing Residents and Sustainability In Town Planning Apr 6, 2024
- Apr 3, 2024 Your Vote, Your Voice: A Call to Action for Informed Decision-Making Apr 3, 2024
March 2024 9
- Mar 30, 2024 Providence & Worcester Railroad Vehement Opposition Mar 30, 2024
- Mar 28, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #7 Mar 28, 2024
- Mar 26, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - March 27, 2024 Mar 26, 2024
- Mar 24, 2024 Andover Nonprofit Challenges Zoning Board's Affordable Housing Rejection Mar 24, 2024
- Mar 20, 2024 Millbury’s Chapter 40B Housing Production Plan Mar 20, 2024
- Mar 16, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #6 Mar 16, 2024
- Mar 11, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - March 13, 2024 Mar 11, 2024
- Mar 6, 2024 Chapter 40B Regulations On Design Elements Mar 6, 2024
- Mar 2, 2024 Providence & Worcester Railroad Crossing Upgrades Mar 2, 2024
February 2024 9
- Feb 29, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #5 Feb 29, 2024
- Feb 28, 2024 Traffic Impact Study Updated - February 2024 Feb 28, 2024
- Feb 27, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - February 28, 2024 Feb 27, 2024
- Feb 24, 2024 Rice Pond Village Waiver Justifications Feb 24, 2024
- Feb 21, 2024 Rising Threat: Potential Rental Market Monopoly In Millbury Feb 21, 2024
- Feb 18, 2024 Milton Rejects MBTA Communities Act Feb 18, 2024
- Feb 14, 2024 Affordable Homes Act Feb 14, 2024
- Feb 10, 2024 Millbury's Water Supply Struggle Feb 10, 2024
- Feb 7, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #4 Feb 7, 2024
January 2024 8
- Jan 31, 2024 Rice Pond Village Parking Space Analysis Jan 31, 2024
- Jan 29, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - January 31, 2024 Jan 29, 2024
- Jan 24, 2024 MBTA Inclusionary Zoning Area Disclosed Jan 24, 2024
- Jan 18, 2024 Waivers, Waivers, And More Waivers Jan 18, 2024
- Jan 11, 2024 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #3 Jan 11, 2024
- Jan 8, 2024 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - January 10, 2024 Jan 8, 2024
- Jan 6, 2024 Why Building Typology Matters Jan 6, 2024
- Jan 3, 2024 The Human Impact Of Development: A Closer Look At Rice Pond Village Jan 3, 2024
December 2023 8
- Dec 27, 2023 Crucial Fire Safety Concerns For Rice Pond Village Dec 27, 2023
- Dec 21, 2023 Liability For Pre-Identified Risks Dec 21, 2023
- Dec 18, 2023 Chapter 40B Public Hearing Protocol Dec 18, 2023
- Dec 15, 2023 Recap Of Chapter 40B Public Hearing #2 Dec 15, 2023
- Dec 11, 2023 Chapter 40B Public Hearing - December 13, 2023 Dec 11, 2023
- Dec 9, 2023 Holden Residents’ MBTA Challenge Dismissed Dec 9, 2023
- Dec 5, 2023 MassDOT Annual Average Daily Traffic Dec 5, 2023
- Dec 2, 2023 Chapter 40B Meeting With State Officials Dec 2, 2023
November 2023 8
- Nov 29, 2023 Chapter 40B Public Hearing Opened And Continued Nov 29, 2023
- Nov 29, 2023 MassDOT Crash Data Nov 29, 2023
- Nov 27, 2023 Planning Board Weighs In On Rice Pond Village Nov 27, 2023
- Nov 25, 2023 Chapter 40B Comparison Of Density Nov 25, 2023
- Nov 17, 2023 Highland Ridge In Berlin Issued Another Stop Work Order Nov 17, 2023
- Nov 15, 2023 Neighborhood Spokesperson For Rice Pond Village Project Nov 15, 2023
- Nov 13, 2023 How We Arrived At This Chapter 40B Project Nov 13, 2023
- Nov 9, 2023 Rice Pond Village Chapter 40B Initial Public Hearing Nov 9, 2023
October 2023 2
- Oct 12, 2023 Amendments Of Application Fees Postponed Indefinitely Oct 12, 2023
- Oct 9, 2023 Preserving Fairness And Democracy Oct 9, 2023
September 2023 8
- Sep 29, 2023 Comprehensive Permit Fees Decision Deferred Sep 29, 2023
- Sep 24, 2023 Comprehensive Permit Amendments Proposed Sep 24, 2023
- Sep 15, 2023 Implications Of Complacency And Apathy In The Face Of A Chapter 40B Sep 15, 2023
- Sep 11, 2023 Remembering September 11 Sep 11, 2023
- Sep 8, 2023 Rice Pond Village Proposed Unit Composition Sep 8, 2023
- Sep 6, 2023 DHCD Approves Rice Pond Village Project Eligibility Letter Sep 6, 2023
- Sep 4, 2023 What A Chapter 40B Project Eligibility Letter Means Sep 4, 2023
- Sep 1, 2023 Millbury Received Chapter 40B PEL Sep 1, 2023
August 2023 6
- Aug 30, 2023 Chapter 40B: Unraveling The Limitations Of A Partial Solution Aug 30, 2023
- Aug 22, 2023 The Complex Puzzle of Affordable Housing: Why Zoning Changes Alone Won't Suffice Aug 22, 2023
- Aug 14, 2023 Construction and Rat Migration: Unintended Consequences on Urban Ecology Aug 14, 2023
- Aug 9, 2023 Further Statement About Town Manager Resignation Aug 9, 2023
- Aug 8, 2023 Millbury Town Manager Roadmap Aug 8, 2023
- Aug 7, 2023 Town Manager’s Abrupt Resignation. Does It Matter? Aug 7, 2023
July 2023 2
- Jul 27, 2023 Filling The Gap: Balancing "Missing Middle" Housing In Millbury Jul 27, 2023
- Jul 5, 2023 Vital Importance of Architectural Integration in Placing Chapter 40B Projects Jul 5, 2023
June 2023 1
- Jun 18, 2023 Commonwealth Seeks To Increase Housing Jun 18, 2023
May 2023 2
- May 20, 2023 2023 Planning Board Results May 20, 2023
- May 2, 2023 Multi-Family Moratorium Passes In Millbury May 2, 2023
April 2023 5
- Apr 28, 2023 Arguments For A Temporary Building Moratorium Apr 28, 2023
- Apr 25, 2023 Protect Vulnerable Road Users Apr 25, 2023
- Apr 25, 2023 It’s Decision Day Apr 25, 2023
- Apr 14, 2023 Town Authors A Comment Letter For Rice Pond Village Apr 14, 2023
- Apr 13, 2023 Reelect The Incumbent Planning Board Candidates Apr 13, 2023
March 2023 6
- Mar 28, 2023 Favorable Recommendation On Multi-Family Moratorium Mar 28, 2023
- Mar 21, 2023 Implications Of Large-Scale Developments Mar 21, 2023
- Mar 16, 2023 Public Hearing To Be Held On Temporary Multifamily Moratorium Mar 16, 2023
- Mar 15, 2023 Diversifying The Tax Base Mar 15, 2023
- Mar 10, 2023 Chapter 40B Is Failing To Provide Affordable Housing Mar 10, 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Building Moratorium Public Hearing Scheduled Mar 6, 2023
February 2023 10
- Feb 25, 2023 No Build Wetlands Buffer Zone Scheduled Feb 25, 2023
- Feb 25, 2023 Adaptive Reuse Overlay and Bramanville Village Districts Feb 25, 2023
- Feb 25, 2023 Authorization For Rice Pond Village Application Feb 25, 2023
- Feb 25, 2023 Rename Aldrich Street To Aldrich Avenue Withdrawn Feb 25, 2023
- Feb 14, 2023 No Build Wetlands Buffer Zone Delayed Feb 14, 2023
- Feb 10, 2023 No Build Wetlands Buffer Feb 10, 2023
- Feb 8, 2023 Temporary Multi-Family Building Moratorium Feb 8, 2023
- Feb 8, 2023 Rename Aldrich Street To Aldrich Avenue Feb 8, 2023
- Feb 8, 2023 An Opportunity To Shape The Outcome Feb 8, 2023
- Feb 6, 2023 Talking Out Both Sides Of Their Mouths Feb 6, 2023
January 2023 13
- Jan 30, 2023 James Venincasa — Limited Liability Corporations Jan 30, 2023
- Jan 30, 2023 Steven F. Venincasa — Limited Liability Corporations Jan 30, 2023
- Jan 26, 2023 Steven F. Venincasa — Reference Projects Jan 26, 2023
- Jan 24, 2023 Chapter 40B LIP Timeline Jan 24, 2023
- Jan 22, 2023 Inadequacies Of Rice Road Jan 22, 2023
- Jan 20, 2023 Comparison Of Density Jan 20, 2023
- Jan 18, 2023 Comparisons Of Building Heights Jan 18, 2023
- Jan 16, 2023 Reasoning For Medfield Meadows Denial Jan 16, 2023
- Jan 11, 2023 Partnering On Local Initiative Program Projects Jan 11, 2023
- Jan 11, 2023 When Town Officials Gaslight Jan 11, 2023
- Jan 9, 2023 Chapter 40B Can Be Scaled-Back Or Denied Jan 9, 2023
- Jan 8, 2023 Tragedy In The Making Jan 8, 2023
- Jan 4, 2023 A Bad Deal Jan 4, 2023
December 2022 1
- Dec 9, 2022 Opposition To The Rice Road Project – Millbury, MA Dec 9, 2022
November 2022 2
- Nov 23, 2022 Paving Of Rice Road Nov 23, 2022
- Nov 14, 2022 Neighborhood Meeting Nov 14, 2022
October 2022 3
- Oct 25, 2022 Chapter 40B LIP Agreement Authorized Oct 25, 2022
- Oct 25, 2022 Chapter 40B LIP Authorization — Part 2 Oct 25, 2022
- Oct 10, 2022 Chapter 40B LIP Authorization Oct 10, 2022
September 2022 5
- Sep 21, 2022 Pavement Work Base Layer Driveway Aprons Sep 21, 2022
- Sep 9, 2022 Bobcat In Area Sep 9, 2022
- Sep 3, 2022 Pavement Work Finish Layer Update Sep 3, 2022
- Sep 2, 2022 Attorney General Approves Rezoning Sep 2, 2022
- Sep 2, 2022 Pavement Work Finish Layer Sep 2, 2022
August 2022 4
- Aug 24, 2022 Pavement Work Raising Structures Aug 24, 2022
- Aug 16, 2022 Pavement Work Base Layer Complete Aug 16, 2022
- Aug 9, 2022 Pavement Work Base Layer Aug 9, 2022
- Aug 1, 2022 Pavement Work To Begin Aug 1, 2022
June 2022 10
- Jun 27, 2022 Chapter 40B LIP Negotiation Memorandum Jun 27, 2022
- Jun 15, 2022 Selectmen Vote To Enter Negotiations Jun 15, 2022
- Jun 15, 2022 Chapter 40B Can Be Scaled Back Jun 15, 2022
- Jun 13, 2022 Consideration Of Initiation Of Chapter 40B Negotiations Jun 13, 2022
- Jun 11, 2022 Good Turnout For Signatures — Part 2 Jun 11, 2022
- Jun 10, 2022 Signatures To Call A Special Town Meeting — Part 2 Jun 10, 2022
- Jun 8, 2022 Pack Of Coyotes Spotted Jun 8, 2022
- Jun 6, 2022 Personal Responsibility Jun 6, 2022
- Jun 5, 2022 Good Turnout For Signatures Jun 5, 2022
- Jun 3, 2022 Signatures To Call A Special Town Meeting Jun 3, 2022
May 2022 12
- May 27, 2022 Yard Signs May 27, 2022
- May 26, 2022 UN1F1ED2 And Millbury May 26, 2022
- May 25, 2022 UN1F1ED2 Neighborhood Meeting May 25, 2022
- May 24, 2022 Chapter 40B On Steroids May 24, 2022
- May 21, 2022 Developer Chapter 40B LIP Presentation May 21, 2022
- May 16, 2022 McLaughlins Sell Properties May 16, 2022
- May 12, 2022 Chapter 40B Presentation Takeaways May 12, 2022
- May 10, 2022 UN1F1ED2 Project Concerns May 10, 2022
- May 8, 2022 Chapter 40B Presentation May 8, 2022
- May 8, 2022 Fact Checking Article 26 Falsehoods May 8, 2022
- May 4, 2022 North Side Of Rice Road Rezoned May 4, 2022
- May 4, 2022 Article 24 Defeated May 4, 2022
April 2022 6
- Apr 29, 2022 Vote NO on Town Warrant Article 24 Apr 29, 2022
- Apr 28, 2022 Millbury Power Choice Program Apr 28, 2022
- Apr 27, 2022 Multi-Family Building Moratorium To Be Delayed Apr 27, 2022
- Apr 24, 2022 An Explanation Of Millbury Town Warrant Article 27 Apr 24, 2022
- Apr 24, 2022 An Explanation Of Millbury Town Warrant Article 26 Apr 24, 2022
- Apr 24, 2022 Vote No On An Appointed Planning Board Article 24 Apr 24, 2022
March 2022 7
- Mar 28, 2022 Rezoning Presentation Mar 28, 2022
- Mar 22, 2022 Mark Your Calendar: March 29, 2022 Mar 22, 2022
- Mar 22, 2022 Mark Your Calendar: March 28, 2022 Mar 22, 2022
- Mar 11, 2022 Millbury's Subsidized Housing Inventory Mar 11, 2022
- Mar 8, 2022 No Appeal Of Project Denial Mar 8, 2022
- Mar 4, 2022 Multi-Family Moratorium Petition Submitted Mar 4, 2022
- Mar 3, 2022 Don't Prioritize Affordable Housing Over Public Safety Mar 3, 2022
February 2022 10
- Feb 23, 2022 One Year Hiatus Determination Feb 23, 2022
- Feb 19, 2022 Preview Of Chapter 40B Development Feb 19, 2022
- Feb 15, 2022 Rezoning Petition Submitted Feb 15, 2022
- Feb 15, 2022 Cooling Off Period Feb 15, 2022
- Feb 15, 2022 Fran DeSimone Nomination Papers Signed Feb 15, 2022
- Feb 14, 2022 Rice Pond Village Denial Feb 14, 2022
- Feb 13, 2022 Public Hearing — February 14, 2022 Feb 13, 2022
- Feb 8, 2022 Laurie Connors Tenders Resignation Feb 8, 2022
- Feb 7, 2022 MBTA New Housing Regulations Feb 7, 2022
- Feb 7, 2022 Big Coyote In Neighborhood Feb 7, 2022
January 2022 8
- Jan 26, 2022 Chapter 40B Meeting Scheduled Jan 26, 2022
- Jan 24, 2022 Rice Pond Village Public Hearing Closed Jan 24, 2022
- Jan 24, 2022 Guidelines For Comprehensive Permit Projects Jan 24, 2022
- Jan 22, 2022 Public Hearing — January 24, 2022 Jan 22, 2022
- Jan 21, 2022 Railroad Denies Request Jan 21, 2022
- Jan 20, 2022 Railroad Contribution Letter Jan 20, 2022
- Jan 14, 2022 Can The Developer Withdraw? Jan 14, 2022
- Jan 10, 2022 Developer Wants Input On Four Options Jan 10, 2022
December 2021 5
- Dec 14, 2021 Developer Voices Frustration Dec 14, 2021
- Dec 13, 2021 $20K For Offsite Improvements Dec 13, 2021
- Dec 9, 2021 Waivers Should Not Be Granted Dec 9, 2021
- Dec 9, 2021 MGL Chapter 41 Section 81R Dec 9, 2021
- Dec 5, 2021 Rice Road To Be Reopened Dec 5, 2021
November 2021 5
- Nov 30, 2021 Neighbors Try To Nix A Proposed 46-Unit Condo Development On Rice Road Nov 30, 2021
- Nov 24, 2021 No Affordable Housing At Rice Pond Village Nov 24, 2021
- Nov 18, 2021 Proposed Project At 17 Rice Road Will Destroy Neighborhood Nov 18, 2021
- Nov 18, 2021 Rice Road Closed Due To EverSource Nov 18, 2021
- Nov 16, 2021 Revised Site Plan v4 Nov 16, 2021
October 2021 2
- Oct 23, 2021 Engineer Reschedules Again Oct 23, 2021
- Oct 16, 2021 Project Reviewed By Independent Engineer Oct 16, 2021
September 2021 6
- Sep 29, 2021 McLaughlins Tell People It Is The Developer Sep 29, 2021
- Sep 28, 2021 Developer Nervous About Project Support Sep 28, 2021
- Sep 27, 2021 Revised Site Plan v3 Sep 27, 2021
- Sep 18, 2021 “Sales Spin” Verses “Actual Reality” Sep 18, 2021
- Sep 14, 2021 Engineer No Show, Public Hearings Continued Sep 14, 2021
- Sep 10, 2021 General Health Effects of Transportation Noise Sep 10, 2021
August 2021 1
- Aug 9, 2021 Noise Impacts Aug 9, 2021
July 2021 3
- Jul 21, 2021 Revised Site Plans v2 Jul 21, 2021
- Jul 21, 2021 Rice Road South Main Street Intersection Jul 21, 2021
- Jul 12, 2021 Rice Road Railroad Crossing Jul 12, 2021
May 2021 2
- May 18, 2021 Letters To Conservation Commission May 18, 2021
- May 4, 2021 How Did We End Up Here May 4, 2021
April 2021 3
- Apr 29, 2021 Letters To Planning Board Apr 29, 2021
- Apr 13, 2021 Public Hearing Notice Apr 13, 2021
- Apr 12, 2021 Project Cover Letter Apr 12, 2021