Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mbta Communities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Freetown officials push to return MBTA-community zoning to town meeting in January to avoid state action
Summary
Freetown officials said they are revising zoning to meet MBTA Communities requirements and expect to bring a zoning article to a January town meeting. The state has signaled it is watching compliance and may act if towns do not show progress.
Freetown town officials told the joint select-board meeting Nov. 3 they are working with a planning consultant to update zoning and meet MBTA Communities obligations and expect to present a revised zoning article to town meeting on Jan. 26. The town administrator said the state has already asked whether the community will put revised zoning before town meeting and that the state indicated it would give the town until January to show progress.
Town staff said they revised the approach to avoid provisions that would require a two-thirds vote; the proposed MBTA-community zoning article is written to require a majority vote rather than a two-thirds vote because it does not amend certain existing districts that would change vote thresholds. Planning staff and consultant support was cited as part of the timeline to return to town meeting.
Officials acknowledged uncertainty: if town meeting does not approve the measure, the state could take action that would affect grant eligibility and other planning decisions. Town administrators said they planned public information sessions and outreach in advance of the January special town meeting to explain options and consequences.
Ending: Officials urged residents to follow the schedule of informational meetings and said they would continue to coordinate with consultants and the state as the January timeline approaches.
