The Charles River Regional Chamber celebrates today’s ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court that found the MBTA Communities Act to be constitutional and also affirms that the Attorney General may sue municipalities that violate the law.

This is a major win in the efforts to open up more opportunities and lower costs for housing near transit for young adults, downsizing seniors, our workers, and others who have been shut out of opportunities to live and work in our wonderful west suburban communities.

While the court also ruled today that the guidelines/regulations must be redone, we applaud today’s commitment by Gov. Maura Healey to file “emergency regulations by the end of this week consistent with the court’s decision” that will “be effective immediately upon filing.”

Therefore it appears nothing will change, leaving the law MBTA Communities Law in effect.

This is of particular note in Needham which holds a referendum on Tuesday (Jan. 14) on a possible repeal of the town’s MBTA Communities compliance plan approved by Town Meeting last October

While some supporters of the repeal are spinning the court ruling as an opportunity to nullify the plan, nothing could be further from the truth.

The law remains in place. Needham still risks losing access to state grants that are included as part of the law that the SJC says is indeed legal.

Most importantly the Neighborhood Housing Plan is a thoughtfully crafted and considered approach that aims to meet Needham's needs by gradually unlocking opportunities to create housing for young adults, downsizing seniors and our local workforce.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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