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Boxborough board to seek state guidance on new Chapter 40Y starter-homes program
Summary
Housing board members agreed to ask the state 40Y coordinator whether the newly enacted starter-homes program could be used on the town'owned 72 Stow Road parcel, citing private-well/septic flexibility and resident interest in starter homes.
Chair Al opened discussion by saying the board should "look into 40 y" as a possible fit for Stow Road and asked staff to pursue state guidance. Ian, the board's presenter, told members he found language suggesting Chapter 40Y "was not restricted by those infrastructure needs" and that private wells and septic could be permissible.
Members cited the public'input ranking starter homes highly and noted 40Y is new and still being implemented; Ian warned it is "very new" and that some deadlines in program materials extend into 2025'26. The board agreed that before asking legal counsel for detailed advice they wanted a direct, informal meeting with the EOHLC 40Y coordinator to determine practical feasibility for the town's 11-acre parcel.
Ian committed to arrange the briefing: "I'm on it. I'll reach out to him tomorrow," he said. The board framed the outreach as a fact-finding step, not a commitment to any specific zoning change. If the state confirms 40Y can apply given Stow Road's infrastructure profile, members said they would revisit options including potential hybrid approaches or a locally tailored overlay.
