East Bridgewater Voters Reject MBTA Zoning Overlay District
Town approves $64.9 million budget for FY2026 while voting down state mandated zoning district
EAST BRIDGEWATER - May 12 - East Bridgewater residents have rejected a proposed MBTA Communities North - Single and Multi-family Overlay District at the annual town meeting. The zoning change, which would have allowed denser housing development in the northern part of town, was defeated by a vote of 72 to 59.
The proposal, presented as Articles 5 and 6 on the warrant, aimed to comply with state requirements under Section 3A of the Zoning Act. The overlay district would have covered approximately 116 acres bordered by Route 18, Winter Street, and the Whitman town line.
Planning Board member Kevin Reilly explained that the article was similar to one presented at a special town meeting last fall, but with modifications.
"This is limited to the northern district, that bordered by Route 18, Winter Street, and the Whitman town line," Reilly said. "It does provide for the development of the number of units that is required under the computation that the state has put forth."
Reilly noted that the area includes part of a 40B development recently approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals for 220 units.
Town Counsel John Clifford warned that failing to comply with the state mandate could have consequences.
"If we are not in compliance as of July, the state can take enforcement actions against us," Clifford said. "The town of Marshfield is out of compliance. They have already been notified of several grants that they've lost."
Residents expressed concerns about the impact of increased density on the town's character and infrastructure.
"The town is a small rural town. We want to keep it as a small rural town," said one resident. "We don't need the extra traffic on Route 18. We don't need the extra traffic on Winter Street or any of the other side streets that get affected by this."
Christie Layton, a Winter Street resident, shared personal concerns about the proposal.
"I chose to come to East Bridgewater after being born and raised in Rockland because I didn't like the way that Rockland was going," Layton said. "I don't want that for my kids. I want my kids to be able to go out and ride their bikes and not have people whizzing down the street."
Planning Board member Rachel Tedesco spoke in favor of the article, emphasizing the need for more housing options.
"We really need more housing options for people in our town in this region, particularly more affordable single and multifamily housing," Tedesco said. "I am very concerned over the loss of discretionary state grants to East Bridgewater. This is not small change. Old Colony Planning Council said we could lose as much as $2 million in grants in a single fiscal year."
Fellow Planning Board member Diane Phillips also supported the proposal.
"What do we have to gain? I've heard many negative comments over the last few months, but there are people who will really benefit, people that we know and love right here in our own communities," Phillips said. "Young families that are just starting out. Mortgages are extremely high in East Bridgewater."
The town meeting also approved a $64,984,427 budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Finance Committee Chairman David Walsh noted that the committee worked closely with all departments to develop a balanced budget.
"We worked very closely with all the departments, worked very closely with the school department to have a viable school budget this year without, I hope, too much impact," Walsh said. "Everybody was great working together, and we were able finally to come up with a balanced budget."
Other significant votes at the meeting included:
- Approval of Article 7, amending zoning bylaws related to Protected Use Accessory Dwelling Units
- Approval of Article 13, funding capital projects including $447,776 for road repairs, $400,000 for a fire department ambulance, and $29,289 for police taser replacement
- Approval of Article 16, authorizing a lease purchase agreement for two new police cruisers
- Approval of Article 17, accepting the donation of approximately 5 acres of real property near Hudson Street
The meeting began with recognition of retiring Fire Chief Tim Harhen, who served 33 years on the fire department, including 13 years as chief. Select Board member Peter Spagone also recognized David Sheedy, who is stepping down from the Board of Selectmen.
"A big loss for the town having David step down," Spagone said. "For the time he spent putting in for the town of East Bridgewater in order to make it a better place than he found it, I'd like to give him a round of applause."
The meeting concluded with Moderator Robert Looney adjourning the proceedings with a cheerful "Everyone have a good summer. Go Celtics."