EAST BRIDGEWATER — May 4, 2026 — The East Bridgewater Select Board and Town Moderator Robert Looney finalized the warrants for the upcoming May 11 Town Meeting, signaling a high-stakes showdown over the state-mandated MBTA Communities Act. As the town remains under legal fire from the Attorney General for noncompliance, officials opted for a “no-frills” approach to Article 6, deciding against a formal presentation in favor of residents’ existing knowledge of the twice-rejected zoning plan.
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In a procedural “meeting before the meeting,” Moderator Robert “Bob” Looney led the Select Board through a line-by-line review of the Special and Annual Town Meeting warrants. The primary focus of the evening was Article 6 of the Annual Town Meeting, which seeks to bring the town into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act—a state law requiring multi-family zoning districts near transit stations. [10:13]
East Bridgewater is currently one of several towns being sued by Attorney General Andrea Campbell for failing to meet the July 2025 deadline. Despite two previous rejections by voters, the town is bringing a revised 13-page article and map to the floor. [11:15] Town Administrator Charlie Seelig informed the board that the administration does not plan to use a slide deck or formal presentation this time, believing that the community’s familiarity with the topic is already high. [11:35]
“We’re not planning on a formal presentation at all. I think the belief is that for most people who are going to be at this town meeting, they have sufficient knowledge—maybe erroneously, but whatever they’ve got—they’re ready to vote.” [11:35] — Town Administrator Charlie Seelig
