November 12, 2007
How I understand the timeline here in Bridgewater:
(a) Our 11/13 Town Meeting vote to create the zoning variance for the 40R project
(b) Town Meeting is submitted to the State
(c) Sometime, probably around February, we would receive State certification of the vote
It is at that point - assuming previous steps pass/ok - that Bridgewater would receive a letter verifying we are all set .
There is an assumption of payment by the State for 40R projects. However, this is subject to appropriation. See my note below and MMA article. Thus, even though a law might exist that stipulates a formula for paying a Town, the State must create the funding mechanism. That is - the House, Senate, Governor all agreeing to some method to create a pool of money to meet the requirement. This is not always automatic.
My gut tells me that many communities - especially those experiencing major financial issues like Bridgewater - have Selectmen pushing for these 40R for the State dollars and also the per unit dollars as developed. Discussion should occur about placement, infrastructure, and potential to have a project add to a community and not just cost more in service costs. That was the point I was trying to make - like 75 students comes with a cost that some entity will need to fund. And our community does not have a lot of extra money as far as education is concerned.
Or that water & sewer will be effected for everyone in the Town. Or that there are potential traffic issues - remember a very expensive traffic light by the Police Station! These things are not cheap - so who will be responsible for paying?
Once we change the zoning, it is changed.
While the Town had some history with Flatley, Aimco is new to the community. Also, zoning is the land, not the owner. So, the new owners could sell to another who would then have all of the zoning - including commercial development rights on that section of road. 31 pages of an Article, but nary a mention of how water/sewer, schools, traffic study and mitigation will all be addressed.
Take a look at:
Report reviewing Affordable Housing in MA.doc
the comments on pg.9 Medfield - refer to concern for continuing costs after the initial funding.
“’Part of the problem with Smart Growth is that they’re supposed to hold the towns harmless for education and other town services, but all they’re doing is a one-shot appropriation,’ said Sullivan (Medfield Town Administrator Mike Sullivan)
MMA story on 40R projects
where the MMA (Mass Municipal Association) advises communities "little reason to proceed with 40R" until funding is determined.
http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/components/SCP/ch40r/40rdistricts.pdf
shows status of some districts: Bridgewater is proposed so perhaps someone already sent something in on Bridgewater's behalf
http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/components/SCP/ch40r/statute.pdf
Section 4a speaks to that pre-approval step.
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