LETTER: 'How Our Reps Fail Us on Chapter 40B Reform'

Dear Editor,

I read the letter that Rep. Day and Sen. Lewis sent to MassHousing about the proposed 40B Forest Ridge apartment project. While they raise concerns about the project, they do not call for a rejection of the application. To quote the letter’s conclusion: “…questions ought to be fully reviewed and thoughtfully considered before this application proceeds any further.” Why not just ask MassHousing to reject it?

In fact, the letter downplays the seriousness of the impact on Stoneham. While they express concern over the impact of another 500 vehicles exiting Fallon Road, they fail to mention that there is already a large development of 298 units under construction at an adjoining location on Fallon Road. The two developments together will add about 1000 vehicles to daily traffic (not just 500) all of which will connect to Stoneham roads.

Downtown Stoneham is much closer to Fallon Road than downtown Winchester, so expect residents of both complexes to do most of their daily living in Stoneham. Winchester will get credit for affordable housing units at Forest Ridge. Meanwhile, Stoneham residents will get the increase in traffic and vehicle emissions and the responsibility of maintaining the roads for 1000 more vehicles. To say that the Forest Ridge project is unfair to Stoneham qualifies as the understatement of the year.

The Stoneham Independent (8/3/16) reported that Michael Day said Chapter 40B law needs to be upgraded by “asking for a study.” Well, Rep. Day has been in office for two years now. I have read summaries of the bills he has submitted or co-sponsored in the current 189th legislative session on Beacon Hill. Not a single one relates to reform of Chapter 40B.

Rep Day knew that Chapter 40B was an issue for Stoneham before he got elected because of the pending Weiss Farm project. I think we have a right to expect more from our elected representatives.

I believe that if Caroline Colarusso were our representative, she would have acted long ago in an effort to protect the 31st Middlesex District. She has asked Rep Day publicly to amend 40B. If you want Chapter 40B reform, Colarusso is your candidate. If not, expect more of what you are getting now.

John Eaton,

Citation Ave.

Stoneham