The Proof of Character is in the Pudding
I suggest every resident of Fairhaven watch the 6/25/24 Planning Board meeting, available at fairhaventv.com
Per Mass.gov, Chapter 40R seeks to substantially increase the supply of housing and decrease its cost, by increasing the amount of land zoned for housing.
The Waterfront district was removed from 40R, why? We did not get clarity on that at the 6/24 Select Board meeting when the 40R application was approved. Nor was any clarity given about that at the PB meeting on 6/25. Nor is it clear why the SB Chair did not convey the information publicly over the past five months.
It appears to me that the waterfront district was added back to the 40R application because it is more financially desirable for developers/ realtors to increase their profits. Remember the real estate famous motto: Location, Location, Location.
The building on the waterfront will create very expensive housing that you don’t own, nor can you build equity with. And if you do own there, you will be paying hefty condo fees and insurance.
This is not at all in accordance with the purpose of creating low and median income housing.
By adding the waterfront back to 40R, it appears that the PB is trying to make Fairhaven a rich man’s town in the name of creating lower priced housing. This is a good example of an oxymoron.
Someone needs to convince the public how waterfront housing will decrease housing costs. Otherwise this 40R would seem as nothing but a scam.
Which brings me to the 6/25 PB meeting.
Before Patrick Carr and Ruy DaSilva took seats as PB members, the waterfront district was not part of the 40R, as far as the public knew.
I am so grateful that PB members, Kevin Grant and Jessica Fidalgo, came forward with the truth about the waterfront being added back in, unbeknown to them.
I highly commend them for upholding their responsibilities, and taking action on the public’s behalf. This is an excellent example of being transparent and serving your community. There was no confusion in your letters. It was not vague, it was not full of excuses, nor was it condemning anyone on a personal basis. It was just the truth. And it is a pitiful shame the rest of the PB members, who call themselves leaders, could not recognize the value of the truth being told to the public.
I do not feel confident with you messing with our bylaws and re-zoning for this town. Especially because laws in this town are not being followed, as it is.
No apologies here either PB member, Rick Trapilo. – And, Mr Carr, a Conflict of Interest is not slander. Get your dictionary out and stop censuring legitimate public concerns and questions. And stop calling the public, which you claim to serve, background noise. The public is actually part of the Democratic process. Did you forget?
Who here should be making the apology?
Michelle Costen, Fairhaven
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