Housing committee urges community land trust, abatements and ADU options under new state housing laws

Mark Paul, chair of the Town of Marlborough Housing Opportunity Committee, told the Board of Selectmen the committee has compiled materials and recommendations and posted supporting documents on a shared Google Drive for board review. HOC Vice Chair Peggy Golfin asked the board to consider a community land trust and a property tax abatement program as ways to preserve affordability, and raised accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as another option the town could pursue.

Peter Hughes, the town’s director of planning and development, summarized new state requirements under Public Act 25‑1 and explained elements of PA 25‑23 that affect municipal housing‑growth planning. He told the board that the region’s housing growth plan must be presented from CRCOG to the state Office of Policy and Management by June 1, 2028 and answered members’ questions about available developable land and likely infrastructure costs.

Board members asked for clarifications about the financial and land‑use impacts of the proposals. Selectman Joe Asklar raised concerns about how the town could offer tax abatements while facing budget reductions; Golfin responded that increasing the town’s housing supply could broaden the tax base and increase revenue over time. The committee offered follow‑up materials and asked to be scheduled for further discussion as the town evaluates zoning changes.

The board did not take formal action on specific HOC recommendations at the March 17 meeting. Next procedural steps identified were further review of HOC materials and additional presentations to the selectmen and relevant commissions.