Writer Responds to Edwards’ Op-Ed
(Ed. Note: The following letter refers to the Op-Ed article by State Senator Lydia Edwards that appeared in the Sun-Transcript two weeks ago. We urge our readers to read Sen. Edwards’s column, which is posted on our web site for the issue of March 28, in order to make their own judgment about the opinions stated by Senator Edwards and the letter-writer. Also, we believe that when the letter-writer refers to “we,” she is referring to members of the Republican Town Committee.)
Dear Editor:
In response to your Op – Ed, (of Senator Edwards on 3-28) we feel it is important to tell the whole story about MBTA Community law 3A. We continue to hear words like misinformed, fear, anger, and confusion. We simply disagree. The residents of Winthrop have been doing their due diligence and share the facts as we learn them. You describe us as vitriolic, angry, and afraid of newcomers? We have asked you multiple times to host a meeting to help us understand your perspective, since you clearly do not understand the will of Winthrop, and you have yet to reply.
Regarding how we got here. There is no misunderstanding that the law was passed in 2021. Let us also be clear that there are 2 things at play regarding 3A. There is the law, one written page, and attached to the law are guidelines. The guidelines have been modified multiple times since the Healy Administration has been in office. In fact, the guidelines have been changed as recently as August 2023. The fact that the guidelines continue to change as cities and towns oppose 3A, is the only confusion on our end. How does the state expect cities and towns to comply with a law and its guidelines when they continue to change? Initially the law stated funding from 3 grants may be impacted for non-compliance. The state has increased that to 17 through amendments to the guidelines. Grant money is funded by taxpayers. You also mention that the threshold required for approving plans was lowered to a simple majority from a 2/3 vote to prevent one person in local government from stalling projects. You neglected to share the other side of that coin. To change any 3A approved projects after a simple majority vote. The rule goes back and requires a 2/3 vote.
Regarding the popularity of this law, our Town Council members have done a fantastic job and held open, respectful, and well-attended precinct meetings with regards to the MBTA 3A law. What you may not understand is that this bill is overwhelmingly unpopular amongst Winthrop voters, the people that voted for you.
Senator Edwards, you state that the baton has been passed to the local communities to plan for increased density. Winthrop is ahead of the state and has already done that in the Center Business District. Our Town Council has been planning for Winthrop’s future. Why is the burden on the 177 MBTA communities in the most densely populated areas? It is not for the benefit of Winthrop. This is also a conversation we should have with you and the community. Your continuous statements of “crushing” communities, and very thinly veiled threats, do not convey the collaborative approach you claim to want to engage in. Winthrop has been ahead of the Commonwealth in zoning for growth for several years. How do you, as our representative not know that, and stand up for the people of Winthrop, your constituents?
You said that we will not be undertaking this without significant financial resources from the state. What financial resources are you speaking of because as of this date, there is nothing in 3A that speaks to funding sources. You make the claim that this is our town Senator using the term “we.” How did you not know that our data was incorrect? We are not 1.9 square miles in size. Massport has a runway on .3 square miles.
Lastly, you speak of disheartening sources of division in Winthrop. You are attempting to divide our Town Council by holding Sunday meetings with a select few. You say you will fight for Winthrop; however, you are fighting against Winthrop by forcing the 3A agenda for your own benefit as Co-Chair of the Housing Committee. Make no mistake, our Town Council continues to work hard for all of Winthrop. We are not a divided community. We simply do not believe this law is constitutional or benefits our community in any way.
Carole Mietzsch
Precinct 1