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May 11th 2008

40-B-Ware of Impact Upon Quality of Life

by Nancy Sapir
(August 2003) If it weren’t for Selectman Mark Beaton, it is likely that Kingston would have approved the Beacon Properties proposal to place 700 housing units as its own without anyone having been aware of it.
About two months ago, Beaton asked the selectmen to host an informational meeting for residents to discuss the massive housing proposal which is very significant because it involves the inclusion of affordable housing under Chapter 40B which makes it easy for developers to cash in on the altruism of providing housing to those who could not otherwise afford to buy a home here. This is a state-sanctioned giveaway to developers who can gain a comprehensive permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals without having to pass muster before all other relevant boards that usually review housing developments.

At Beaton’s request, the selectmen held a meeting to discuss the Beacon proposal, and some residents did indeed appear to give voice to their concerns. The board, however, appeared prepared to vote on whether Kingston would submit Beacon’s proposal to the state as its own “affordable housing plan”. Again, Beaton forestalled the vote, and instead, got the board to set up a hearing for residents on the matter on July 29.

On July 15, during the regular meeting of the board, Town Planner Thomas Bott gave a presentation regarding the town’s options insofar as 40B requirements are concerned, and it seemed from what he had to say, that other options exist. Again, Beaton pointed out to his board that Chapter 40B, a 35 year old concept, is being viewed with an eye toward change since so many Massachusetts communities have reacted adversely to it. Beaton said the new changes could include mobile homes as affordable housing which would put Kingston a lot closer to meeting the state mandated numbers.

All through this process, Chairman Olavo De Macedo has said that the board hasn’t heard from residents with regard to this proposal. It is time for residents to make their voices heard.

Everyone is busy. Duty calls us in every different direction, and it’s difficult to do all the things we should, but this proposal is so important that we must take the time to look carefully at it.

Those of you who live on Smith Lane, and it is a lane, will bear the brunt of the minimum of 700 vehicles, though it will probably be more like 1400, that will pass by on their way to Wal-Mart or Jiffy Lube. That will be on top of those cars that already pass by on their way to the mall.

Those of you who paid up to $1.3 million for your homes in Indian Pond Estates may find traffic from a large transient population passing through your streets to avoid other congested traffic areas.

Those of you who live on Copper Beech Drive, which was closed to thru traffic by the selectmen years ago, may find your street is now to be opened because it is unfair for Smith Lane to bear the entire burden.

It has been said that the proximity of this proposed development to the train station will alleviate these traffic concerns. How? Is everyone who will occupy housing in this development employed in Boston?

This development will have a massive impact on our schools and emergency services. It will cost us money.

What is so curious is the way the selectmen, Beaton excluded, have appeared to embrace this project without ever having conducted a hearing to examine the details of the proposal. That is scheduled, thanks to Beaton, on July 29. One presumes that when electing public officials, those officials are expected to serve the best interests of the town. That is not the case here, and the buck won’t stop with the selectmen. There is the Zoning Board of Appeals. This board will decide whether Beacon goes or stays, and they will very much need the input of the taxpayers of this town to make their decision. They need to know how everyone feels about this, and we need to remember the names of each and every board member how they voted, and why.
What is even more curious is why the selectmen, who are nearly obsequious in the presence of Beacon people, persist in persecuting Sharon and Glen Davis whose barn was torched last year. Now the dispute continues with regard to land that was purchased by Dr. Davis’ father many years ago for $4,000 though the deed was never recorded. Evidence exists with regard to the purchase and sale of the property, but the selectmen are willing to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to drag out this matter which should have been settled on behalf of the Davis family long ago. Is this something you support? Do you feel that your neighbors should continue to be persecuted when they’ve already suffered the crime of arson by someone who probably lives right here among us?

If the selectmen’s loyalty is not to the town, to whom does it belong? They treat Beacon a lot better than they do the Davis family. Why is that?
At their July 15 meeting, after Mr. Bott gave his talk, Dan Sapir raised his hand to ask a question, having confirmed with De Macedo that questions would be taken. Immediately George Cravenho objected citing the “open forum” portion of the meeting as the appropriate time for questions. On his heels was Richard Kenny, objecting. De Macedo caved in like a balloon that had been pricked and said his board had spoken. First of all, the open forum occurs at the beginning of the meeting, so one would have to be prescient in order to ask a question about anything that occurred subsequent to that open forum. Secondly, are residents going to be deliberately prevented from asking questions at public meetings by officials they elected conducting town business on land they pay for? What are they so afraid of? Legitimate questions?

There is something very wrong with the way the selectmen are conducting business, and never more so than on the subject of 40B housing and Beacon Properties. It is up to the residents of this town to step in and remind them who it is they represent. If residents do not take this initiative, they should be prepared for the potential blight of a total of 780 housing units where they don’t belong.