A Statement from Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick:
Earlier today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued a ruling in the Attorney General’s lawsuit against the Town of Milton for failure to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. The ruling upheld the law as constitutional and stated that the Attorney General has the ability to enforce the law. The SJC also ruled that the State’s existing guidelines were not established under the appropriate administrative procedures and are “presently unenforceable.”
The SJC’s ruling does not affect the timing or conduct of the Town of Needham’s upcoming Special Election; that Special Election will occur as scheduled on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Voters will decide at the ballot whether to affirm or repeal the Zoning By-Law adopted by Special Town Meeting on October 21, 2024 to create a new “Multi-family Overlay District.” Important voter information can be found at https://needhamma.gov/5615/2025-Elections
Governor Healey issued a press release following the SJC’s decision that states, in part, that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is “prepared to file emergency regulations by the end of this week, consistent with the court’s decision” and that “[t]he emergency regulations will be effective immediately upon filing.” The Town will continue to monitor the State’s response to the SJC’s decision, and its impacts to the Town.
