To the editor:
What I learned from the Select Board meeting on Wednesday night about the state mandate to increase modestly multi-family housing where it already exists and is subject to our existing zoning codes.
1. Town growth?
Marblehead’s population, which was 22,000 in 1970, is now 20,000. The school population is down 17%.
2. Unfunded?
Our town received a grant to create the plan that was, and will be, presented to Town Meeting, so the mandate has not been unfunded for us.
3. Legal?
We can vote for the same warrant article again and again at Town Meeting (and we have!).
4. Big change?
Our town already allows multi-family housing through its Smart Growth Overlay District, adopted in 2011, and developers have not taken full advantage of this. Our downtown/Old Town already more than meets these standards of density, and we love it!
5. Decency?
Chair Erin Noonan required respect from speakers and audience — and was given it!
Conclusion: We can choose to throw a lotta money at lawyers to oppose our obligation to obey the state mandate, or we can use our tax money to support our life in town, its necessities and amenities.
Lynn Nadeau
Surf Street
