To the editor:
Vote yes for 3A and secure Marblehead’s control of its zoning for housing development and as a continuing recipient of Massachusetts state grants. It’s that simple.
For more than a year, a negative campaign of purposeful disinformation, lies and fear mongering has been waged by opponents to the MBTA Communities Act, 3A.
The truth:
1. The 3A law is very narrow and very specific. It only eliminates the required filing of a waiver or special permit by the landowner for any of the three designated overlay districts before any further discussion about potential development of multi-family housing can occur. That’s right. The law is limited to the filing of a piece of paper and nothing else.
2. Any discussion about the possibility of development for multifamily housing must still meet all of Marblehead’s zoning requirements. These include a three-story cap at height, plenty of open space, set-back requirements and off street parking.
3. New multi-family housing will provide more choices for seniors, Marblehead town employees and young people starting out. It will generate additional real estate tax revenue and generate increased revenue for our local businesses.
4. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled in multiple challenges to 3A that the law is legal, binding and imposes no unfunded costs to Marblehead.
5. The governor, attorney general and the Supreme Judicial Court have all stated that failure to comply with the law, 3A, would result in Marblehead incurring significant financial penalties including, but not limited to, litigation fees and lost state grants.
5. During the Marblehead Town Meeting 2025, residents voted overwhelmingly to support 3A. For 376 years, the Town Meeting vote has been recognized as the will of the people.
Fact: This special election, orchestrated by the naysayers, will cost Marblehead taxpayers more than $12,000. Money that could have been used to repair potholes, fund summer jobs for our youth, make improvements to our parks and other public ways, among many other missed opportunities.
It’s the law. The Town Meeting approved it.
Vote yes for 3A.
Cheryl Patten
Lee Street
