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Candidates back Malden River greenway and stronger state tools for waterfront access
Summary
At the forum candidates pledged support for the Malden River Works project and proposed legislative fixes (Chapter 91 changes, development triggers) and additional earmarks to secure public access and resilience along the Mystic/Malden watersheds.
Friends of the Malden River member Judy Dugan asked candidates how they would convince private property owners to build and maintain riverfront paths and connect existing segments.
Ryan O'Malley said he helped develop greenway plans and supported local ordinances requiring river setbacks; he suggested strengthening Chapter 91 (the public access statute for tidal waterways) and expanding it to freshwater to compel development triggers when property is redeveloped. "I believe we need development triggers so that when people are resurfacing their parking lots, they don't get to just pave right up to the river," he said.
Carrie McDonald highlighted the Malden River Works project and said the state delegation has secured more than $3.5 million in grants for the project, with additional earmarks and a recent $100,000 allocation. She urged a mixed "carrot and stick" approach—looser zoning to attract redevelopment paired with stronger public-access conditions.
Kate Lipurgarabedian said the role of a state senator is to build connections and secure technical assistance and state funding, citing recent earmarks and a revolving fund authorization to help municipalities with resilience projects.
Candidates discussed regulatory and grant tools rather than proposing specific new statute text at the forum; they said state action and agency partnerships would be required to complete greenway links and storm-resilience projects.
