by Jon Jaques
To the Editor,
The real danger to MBTS in the 3A zoning issue is in not making the changes now proposed by the Planning Board, by voting no. We had a very smart group of people take a close look at it, and they have made a very clever proposal, which will meet the State’s requirements, yet protect the character of our Town.
If we fail to vote for this proposal, the consequences could be severe and long-lasting. The State will file a lawsuit against the Town as they have against Milton, which will be expensive to defend, and if we lose, which is likely, we will lose State funding for several expensive infrastructure projects which are upcoming. We’re talking millions of dollars here.
Additionally, as I understand it, in their lawsuit against Milton, the State is also demanding that Milton lose the ability to turn down any building permits for multi-family housing, and that the State appoint someone to rewrite Milton’s zoning by-laws.
Furthermore, voting “no” may well be held against us in our upcoming legal battle with SLV on the 40B.
Here's the question. Do we control our own destiny by voting yes, or do we take a chance, with a potentially disastrous downside, by voting no.
The risk/benefit analysis says vote “Yes.”
Jon Jaques
Manchester
