East Bridgewater Rejects MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw

Town meeting voters overwhelmingly oppose proposed changes, risking state funding

EAST BRIDGEWATER - October 7 - East Bridgewater residents overwhelmingly rejected a proposed zoning bylaw change related to the MBTA Communities Act at a Special Town Meeting Monday night. The decision could potentially impact the town's eligibility for certain state grants and funding.

The proposed bylaw, Article 14, aimed to create a new "MBTA Communities North- Single and Multi-Family Overlay District" in response to state requirements for communities near MBTA service. It was defeated by a vote of 91-39.

Kevin Reilly, Chair of the Planning Board, presented the article, explaining that East Bridgewater is considered an "adjacent community" under state law, despite not having an MBTA station within town limits.

"East Bridgewater is under this mandate. East Bridgewater is an adjacent or a served community under the terms of Massachusetts General Laws," Reilly said.

The MBTA Communities Act requires towns to zone for multi-family housing near transit. Failure to comply could result in the loss of certain state grants.

Town Accountant Melanie Dean highlighted the potential financial impact, noting, "We have a current $4 million grant outstanding with Mass Works for the sewer project on North Bedford Street. And it's been explicitly stated by the state that Mass Works funds would be pulled from towns that were not in compliance."

Several residents expressed concerns about the proposed changes. Jerry Adams of Sherwood Circle called much of the information presented "fluff" and raised worries about increased traffic and strain on town services.

"So all the traffic that's going to be generated from this new project is going to make this town almost unlivable. It's ridiculous," Adams said.

Dan O'Rourke of Washington Street voiced opposition to state pressure on the town. "I, for one, take offense that somebody that doesn't live in this town can bully us and threaten us with loss of grants," he said.

Planning Board Vice-Chair Roy Gardner attempted to clarify misconceptions, explaining that the bylaw would not immediately lead to new development. "This is a zoning change. Some developer still has to come in, decide he's got a viable piece of land to develop, and propose that development through the standard process within the community," she said.

Gardner added that any future development would likely occur over a 5 to 20-year period and would not dramatically increase the town's population or strain on services.

Some residents, like Rich O'Flaherty of Hobart Street, spoke in favor of the changes. "I am what you would call a smart growth proponent, which means growth that happens, maybe not today, but there's a plan for sometime in the future to grow the community in a way that enhances the value of the community," O'Flaherty said.

Following the defeat of Article 14, the town meeting also voted to pass over related Articles 15, 16, and 17, effectively tabling those proposals.

The meeting did approve Article 18, which amends the town's zoning bylaws to address accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in response to recent state legislation. This change allows homeowners to build small secondary living spaces on their properties, with some local restrictions.

Reilly explained the ADU bylaw, saying, "What we are trying to do is to strengthen, in the ways possible, the local control under that state law that was enacted in August of this year."

The rejection of the MBTA Communities zoning changes puts East Bridgewater at odds with state requirements. Town officials will likely need to consider next steps to address the mandate and potential loss of state funding.