Fear Drove The MBTA Communities Act Approval
The truth is, fear is what ultimately drove the decision to adopt the MBTA Communities Act. Millbury town officials and employees leaned heavily on uncertainty—fear of lawsuits, despite no clear legal precedent; fear that the state might take over local zoning, without any concrete plan suggesting that; fear of losing grants that were never guaranteed in the first place.
But fear is not a foundation for good governance. It short-circuits debate, clouds judgment, and pressures people into compliance rather than fostering thoughtful decision-making. Instead of advocating for what’s best for our town through evidence and community engagement, officials used hypothetical risks to steer public opinion. That may have swayed the outcome, but it’s not the same as building genuine consensus.
This moment demanded courage—courage to ask tough questions, to stand by the will of the voters who rejected the measure in November, and to push back against vague threats. Unfortunately, what we got was a vote driven not by confidence in the plan, but by fear of what might happen if we didn’t fall in line.
There’s a pattern here—and it keeps repeating. Decisions are made under pressure, driven by fear rather than grounded in thoughtful leadership. Time and again, instead of learning from past mistakes or listening to the community’s long-standing concerns, officials react reflexively to perceived threats from the state or developers. This isn’t governance. It’s reactive, fear-based management that prioritizes short-term compliance over long-term planning and community trust.
Fear ultimately drove the decision to enter into a Local Initiative Program (LIP) agreement for the Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project, as well as its approval by the Millbury Board of Appeals. In reality, the LIP agreement delivered very little in return—none of the public safety improvements that residents consistently raised as the central concern. In the end, the Millbury Board of Appeals appeared to simply concede to the demands of the developer and the state, rather than standing firm for the interests of the community.
The Millbury Board of Selectmen recently rejected a request to file for an exemption from the MBTA Communities Act, citing potential financial implications as the primary reason. Despite concerns from residents about the Act's impact on local zoning, the Board declined to pursue the exemption, arguing that doing so could jeopardize access to state funding or trigger other costly consequences. This decision has sparked frustration among those who believe that the town should at least explore all available options to retain more local control over land use planning. Yet we continue to spend large amounts of taxpayer money on project cost overruns through mismanagement—often on initiatives that many residents question in terms of their true benefit and whether they were even necessary to begin with. Grant money isn’t free—it ultimately comes from taxpayers, whether at the local, state, or federal level.
True governance requires the courage to challenge assumptions, to seek better outcomes even when it’s uncomfortable, and to put the public’s needs above political expedience. When fear becomes the default lens through which decisions are made, transparency suffers, accountability erodes, and the people are left with choices made for them, not with them.
This decision—made by only a fraction of registered voters who attended and participated in the May 6, 2025, Town Meeting—will carry lasting consequences, just as it has in other communities that have adopted the MBTA Communities Act.
What’s Next?
Some people can’t handle uncomfortable truths—but that’s exactly what this town needs right now. Sugarcoating reality won’t fix anything.
We invested in a Master Plan in 2019 and a Housing Production Plan in 2025—both created to serve as roadmaps for thoughtful, community-centered development. But who is actually working to implement the recommendations? The reality is, no one. These plans sit on a server, largely collecting digital dust. Even town officials and employees have admitted that the documents carry no real authority—just well-meaning suggestions that can be quietly set aside. Is anyone really surprised that Millbury doesn’t have anyone responsible for marketing the town to businesses and developers to help meet our goals?
More Chapter 40B projects will almost certainly follow. As we continue to build market-rate housing without a proportional increase in affordable units, our Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) percentage drops—triggering even more dense development under state mandates. After more than 50 years of Chapter 40B, only about 20% of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts have reached the 10% SHI threshold. It’s a moving target that most communities never hit. Worse yet, the so-called "affordable" units often remain out of reach for the very residents who live here. The state is well aware of this disconnect, yet continues to push forward as if the system is working.
Unless the town begins to take real ownership and responsibility for its planning and development efforts, we will remain stuck in a cycle of reactive decision-making. And the outcomes of that approach are already becoming clear: rising costs, frustrated residents, and policy choices that serve outside interests rather than local needs. Millbury is on a path of fast erosion—longtime residents, many of whom have called this community home for generations, are being priced out. In their place will be those pushed out of the Boston area by skyrocketing housing costs—people who may live here, but who had no voice in shaping what this town was meant to be.
If we want a future that reflects Millbury’s values and vision, we can’t keep making decisions out of fear or convenience. We need leadership who will champion truly affordable housing. Who in our local government will step up, take initiative, and see it through? Thoughtful planning takes time, genuine community involvement, and a commitment to listen to residents—not dismiss them. Our town employees are paid to protect the public interest, not cater to special interests or developers, however, some don’t seem to understand that important point. Change must happen—and soon—or Millbury will no longer be the community we know and cherish.
Residents have a responsibility to demand the change we deserve—starting with transparency and accountability. We should not accept locked doors, appointment-only access, or having our concerns dismissed by town officials and employees—nor should we tolerate efforts to silence feedback and criticism, as happens in nearly every meeting and forum. Local government must serve the people who fund and support it—Millbury’s taxpayers and residents. If it doesn’t, then it’s time for new leadership. This means it's up to residents to speak out and demand the changes we need—but many won’t. And too often, those who are comfortable with the status quo will criticize or attack those pushing for progress, simply because they fear change or loss of power and control. Some in town do not like others speaking the truth. Facts scare them. They see different perspectives as a threat to their ego. And some just don’t want to put in the effort.
Change starts with participation—and that’s exactly what we’re lacking in this town. Unofficial reports suggest that only 6% of registered voters turned out for the town election, and just over the bare minimum quorum of 100 voters attended the town meeting. In a town of just under 14,000 people, that level of participation is unacceptably low. We had over 300 voters at the Saturday special town meeting. Perhaps, it is time to change things up by making it easier not harder for people to contribute and participate.
Given the low turnout at both the town election and Town Meeting, it’s fair to ask: are only a handful of residents truly involved in shaping Millbury’s future? Each of us has a choice to make about how much we care for the place we call home. What kind of town do we want Millbury to become? Will we step up to help guide that future—or let developers and state mandates decide for us?
For now, it seems that any effort to amend or overturn the MBTA Communities Act and its associated zoning changes will ultimately hinge on court rulings or legislative action.
This isn’t just a cautionary tale for Millbury—it’s a warning for the other 176 communities facing the same decisions. Some are continuing the good fight, while others are throwing in the towel and letting the state run roughshod over them. Everyone should stay informed about what their officials and public employees are doing on their behalf.
If you disagree with the direction things are heading, it's crucial to speak up—and, most importantly, to remember your power at the ballot box. Voting isn't just a right; it's your most effective tool for shaping the future of your community.
Local elections often have low turnout, meaning every vote carries significant weight.
By participating in local elections, you ensure that your voice is heard and that decisions reflect the will of the community.
So, if you care about the future of your town, make your voice count—speak up and vote accordingly.
Decisions should be driven by facts, not fear. If some have lost faith in the value of resilience, then it may be time for new leaders—those who will do their own due diligence, stand firm, and act in the true best interests of the community. The choice is ultimately ours: will we stand up and make our voices heard, or passively accept whatever is decided for us?
Residents have the right to criticize public officials and employees—loudly, bluntly, and personally. This right is protected by:
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards freedom of speech.
Article 19 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, which ensures the right to assemble and petition the government.
Article 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, which guarantees freedom of speech.
Policies or statements to the contrary are unconstitutional, as the Southborough Select Board learned when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down their civility rule.
Despite what some may believe, town officials and employees are not a protected class.
We’re entitled to expect better. From our public officials. From our town employees. Higher standards—not excuses.