Marshfield Rejects MBTA Communities Act Compliance Plan
Town risks loss of state funding, cites strong resident opposition
MARSHFIELD - February 10 - The Marshfield Select Board unanimously voted against adopting the 2025 action plan for MBTA communities on Feb. 10, putting the town at risk of non-compliance with state regulations and potential loss of grant funding.
Board members cited strong opposition from residents as the primary reason for rejecting the plan, which would have brought zoning changes to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.
"I don't think at this point that anything has changed. I really don't think that in the last 60 days or whatever, the people that I've spoken to aren't saying to me, hey, we need to be in compliance. They're really almost applauding the fact that we're not in compliance," said Select Board Chair Lynne Fidler.
The action plan, presented by Town Planner Greg Guimond, mirrored proposals rejected by voters at a Dec. 16 town meeting. It would have amended zoning bylaws to allow for higher-density housing near transit.
Select Board member Steve Darcy noted the town has already faced consequences for non-compliance. "We've already received multiple letters from the state that they're gonna withhold some grant money from us until we're in compliance. And one of those grants was dredging for the North South River, which is really important," he said.
However, board members felt the clear message from residents outweighed potential financial impacts.
"The citizens have spoken and the state should respect that vote from the citizens," said board member Eric Kelley.
The board's decision means Marshfield will remain out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, which requires certain municipalities to zone for multi-family housing near transit stations.
In other business, Plymouth County officials presented Marshfield with a check for $706,908.28 to reimburse the town for its COVID-19 response efforts.
Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O'Brien praised Marshfield's pandemic response, saying, "What you did during the pandemic saved lives and really was a beacon of responsibility and success in a very difficult time period."
The funds recognize Marshfield's role in operating vaccination and testing clinics that served residents from across the region.
"We were faced with an unprecedented pandemic and no one knew how we were going to do with that," O'Brien said. "Marshfield, the town of Marshfield stepped up and said, we have a place, we have some resources and we're going to dedicate those resources."
O'Brien noted that people came from far beyond Marshfield to access the town's COVID services. "I've since learned that there were people around this. I didn't realize how far people were coming to come here to get vaccinated and to deal with the crisis as they were facing," he said.
The reimbursement comes from federal ARPA funds administered by Plymouth County. Officials said Marshfield has received over $9.4 million in total pandemic-related funding CARES and ARPA.
In other action, the board:
- Approved two temporary liquor licenses for North River Art Society events in March and April.
- Authorized the Marshfield Affordable Housing Trust to sell a portion of town-owned land at 1929 Main St. to South Shore Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing.
- Approved the annual "Run to the Rock" road races for Sept. 6, 2025, pending sign-offs from police, fire and school departments.
- Accepted donations of $500 for Veteran Services and $200 for Animal Control.
Southie of the South Shore. Not surprised