Letter to the Editor

There was nothing bad to vote against

Dear Editor,

I fail to fully understand the Council’s 11-19-24 negative vote on the Planning Board’s proposal to satisfy Winthrop’s compliance with 3A.  I think it important to note that the MBTA Communities/Section 3A             law goes back to years of efforts to create much needed housing in Massachusetts to prevent talented working people from exiting the state.   I personally know of younger folks who have, in fact, left Mass because of lack of reasonable housing availability.

Historically, however, many of the state’s suburban areas have, in effect, replied with “Not in my backyard.”

The Planning Board proposal, however, addressed Winthrop’s density issue, a population c. 19.5 thousand, living on our 1.6 square miles.  Consequently, the Board issued a plan of no new units, continuation of current and future grant receipts, and avoidance of needing hundreds of thousands of dollars in law fees if the state sued Winthrop for noncompliance with the 3A ordinance. 

The Planning Board also seriously considered the high amount (roughly 32) housing developments that have been undertaken in Winthrop since the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  The Board saw that Winthrop had already satisfied its “fair share” of housing development.  I also think it important to note that the Center development is the result of the 2014 rezoning of the Center Business District (CBD) and WAS considered in the Planning Board’s calculation, 221 units, towards the town’s housing contribution.

After the Nov. 19 vote, however, we are now left with noncompliance with 3A causing no grant receipt, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant that addresses flooding mitigation and climate resiliency, and the need to garner hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees if and when the state sues Winthrop for non compliance.

The true irony of the evening occurred when the new Tree Warden turned to the new Assistant Town Manager/Grant Writer and asked, “If you find any grants for trees please let me know.”

Donna Segreti Reilly

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