North Side Of Rice Road Rezoned

Article 26, Rezoning To Suburban II A Portion Of Residential I North Of Rice Road, was adopted by a two-thirds majority at Millbury's Town Meeting on May 3, 2022.

The final Town Warrant Article, after amendment on the floor of the Town Meeting reads "To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Map by rezoning to Suburban II District that portion of the Residential I District that includes the following lots shown on the Town of Millbury Official Zoning Map, last edited on November 2, 2021, and on file in the Town Clerk's Office: Assessors Map 63, Lots 74, 75, 75-A, 75-B, 75-C, 76, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, and 144, or take any action thereon."

Millbury Planning Board members, Bruce M. DeVault and Paul A. Piktelis were the only two opposed to Article 26. During the public hearings and at the town meeting, Bruce M. DeVault engaged in making false statements to apparently attempt to provoke fear in people that Article 26 would create pre-existing non-conforming use lots thus preventing people from sell their properties in the future. A quick fact check disproves his assertions. Paul A. Piktelis was a little more subtle during the public hearings, attempted to tell people that zoning doesn't change and he did not want to set a precedent for others to follow. A little research on Paul A. Piktelis' part would have shown him that this was a false belief.

A Finance Committee member asked if there was a realtor who could speak on the impact of rezoning these properties, whether it would indeed have any impact on the future sale of homes. Not even Selectmen Christopher Naff, a realtor, who never appears to be at a loss for words, would touch Bruce M. DeVault's false statements at the town meeting.

Our neighborhood truly appreciates all the support of Millbury Planning Board members, especially, Richard F. Gosselin, Jr., Terry Burke Dotson, and Francis P. DeSimone, and for the people of Millbury who voted to unify our neighborhood's zoning district on both sides of Rice Road.