Holden Selectman Anthony Renzoni Discusses MBTA Communities Act Ahead of March 2nd Town Meeting
“I welcome Worcester, I dare Worcester to try to shut us off.”
By-Hank Stolz
Photo-LinkedIn
Worcester, MA-Holden Selectmen Anthony Renzoni, a fierce opponent of the MBTA Communities Act, spoke with the Talk of the Commonwealth about why it’s wrong for his town. A Special Town Meeting on the MBTA Communities Act is scheduled for March 2nd at Wachusett Regional High School.
The MBTA Communities Act states all communities served by the MBTA must zone to allow for multifamily housing as of right, with a greater obligation for communities with better access to transit stations. Holden is served by Union Station in Worcester. The Mass Attorney General has said she will sue any community that does not get in line with the law. “Her contention is that we’re not voting the right way, which in my opinion, and I think a lot of people’s opinion is a definition of attack on democracy.” said Renzoni. He argues the proposed zoning plan is deeply flawed, having been created by an inexperienced, politically-appointed working group that failed to consult affected property owners.
Renzoni says the law is hypocritical and doesn’t affect Boston, “Boston’s not concerned about multifamily housing. They’re pushing their problems out on communities like Holden, which I was elected by the people of Holden to represent the people of Holden, not the people of Boston.” He points out that in Holden a significant consequence of the plan would be the potential closure of Lilac Hedge Farm, as its liability insurance would be dropped if multi-family housing were built nearby. He said he would make himself available to town meeting voters with questions before the vote.
On a separate issue, he confirmed that the city of Worcester owed Holden $35 million from a sewer rate dispute and that the town expected full payment without further negotiation.
On the threat that Worcester could shut off the flow of sewerage and force Holden to build their own waste treatment plant Renzoni says, “I welcome Worcester, I dare Worcester to try to shut us off.”
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