In Response to Town Council Vote on 3A
Dear Editor,
I am responding to a couple of recent letters regarding the Town Council’s vote on the Planning Board’s 3A recommendation.
The first letter writer stated that the Town Councilors who voted “No” on the recommendation “reflects true leadership and courage” … “demonstrated integrity” … and “did not succumb to the influence of lobbyist groups like the MAPC or Winthrop Working Together”.
The second letter writers stated that the Town Councilors who voted not to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation “demonstrated the responsible leadership expected from a representative form of government” … “did not succumb to the intimidation, fearmongering, and falsehoods promulgated by the Proponents of 3A – “Winthrop Working Together” … and “placed the interests of residents above those of developers, lobbyists”.
Residents on the other side of the issue would argue that the Town Councilors who voted “Yes” on the Planning Board’s 3A Recommendation demonstrated leadership, courage and integrity, and did not succumb to the influence of a lobbyist group like Winthrop Says No to 3A, and did not succumb to the intimidation, fearmongering, and falsehoods promulgated by the Opponents of 3A, and placed the interests of residents above those of Winthrop Says No to 3A.
The point that I am making is that all of the Town Councilors should be respected for voting for what they believe is in the best interest of the community. No matter which side you are on regarding this very contentious issue, people should show respect for our public officials. I have seen and heard negative comments about individual Town Councilors from residents on both sides of the issue.
Personally, I have had conversations with most of the Town Councilors, some who supported the Planning Board Recommendation and others who opposed it. All of the conversations have been informative and respectful.
As of December 16, 2024, of the 177 communities subject to 3A, 114 have adopted zoning intended for compliance, 28 communities have until Dec. 31, 2025 to be in compliance, 34 communities, including Winthrop, have until Dec. 31, 2024 to be in compliance, and only 1 community, Milton, is out of compliance at this date, having failed to adopt zoning by Dec. 31, 2023.
Of course, most of the 34 communities, including Winthrop, that have until Dec. 31, 2024 to be in compliance, will most likely be out of compliance in two weeks.
I do believe that most people on both sides of the issue are disappointed that the Supreme Judicial Court has not issued a decision in the case of the Attorney General v. Town of Milton.
That decision would provide clarity to communities like Winthrop that will soon be out of compliance.
Bill Schmidt