Amendments Of Application Fees Postponed Indefinitely
During the remote Millbury Board of Appeals meeting on October 11, 2023, a 4-1 vote opted to postpone indefinitely amending the application fees contained in the Comprehensive Permit Rules and Regulations, maintaining the ($5,000) application base and ($200) per market rate unit fees. The board deemed further analysis essential, involving residents and other stakeholders, before such a substantial decision could be made.
According to Wikipedia, postponed indefinitely means “In Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), the effect of the motion, if adopted, is not to "postpone" the main motion, but rather to prevent action on it for the duration of the current session. It can be used when the assembly does not wish to adopt a motion, but explicitly rejecting it would perhaps be embarrassing, such as a motion to endorse a candidate for a political office.”
After the Millbury Board of Appeals discussion and vote, once again, developer Steven F. Venincasa repeated his misconception that "a town cannot make a profit." It seems he is unaware that unused taxes and fees contribute to what is known as "free cash" each year. Additionally, Steven F. Venincasa hinted that the town could utilize the application fees, suggesting a potential refund if they weren't utilized for his proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project review. Despite his beliefs, the town maintains full discretion over how the fees are utilized, beyond his control.
Town boards and residents should thoroughly scrutinize the assertions made by these developers, Steven F. Venincasa and James Venincasa, verifying every statement they put forth and not accepting information blindly. This awareness was evident in our neighborhood right from the beginning, confirmed through internet searches and discussions with professionals. The truth became unmistakable when Steven F. Venincasa blatantly stated that the neighborhood backed the initial Rice Pond Village proposal and the four options he presented. One neighbor after another contradicted his statements, proving his claims false.
Following this ruling, developers Steven F. Venincasa and James Venincasa would need to submit a nonrefundable check of $33,800 to the Town of Millbury alongside their Rice Pond Village project application if they choose to proceed. It seems certain that the developers will submit the proposed project in the coming months. The goal was to minimize upfront cash expenditure and financial risks for the developers, and ultimately, common sense prevailed.
Reducing or eliminating application fees would have exclusively benefited Steven F. Venincasa and James Venincasa, providing no advantages to the town or its taxpayers. Many observers have noted the developers' self-centered approach, prioritizing their interests over the well-being of our neighborhood and community. This is evident in their lack of understanding of how their projects affect existing neighborhoods, public safety, infrastructure, and other vital aspects of the community.
For instance, in the case of the 19 Canal Street Apartments, the developers included only 1 out of 7 affordable units within the building. They negotiated for an offsite brain injury group home nearby with 6 bedrooms instead of 6 affordable apartments, clearly a cost-saving move for them and to evade any potential issues. Within a 60-day period, the Millbury Police Department had to respond to this group home over 20 times, involving a threat with a knife against a staff member or resident of the facility. These developers have transferred problems from their new apartment building to others, leaving the town and neighborhood to grapple with the aftermath.
Residents should engage actively and show interest in understanding the plans of both this developer and others for Millbury.