The Town of Holden is able to function and fulfill municipal obligations in part due to the generosity of more than 150 citizens who volunteer and serve on boards and committees in our community. There are, according to the town website, 30 volunteer boards and committees with a total of 167 positions.  Committee members, some of whom serve on more than one board, offer their time and expertise on behalf of all residents. Most of these committees are long-term/standing groups, but there are also time-limited boards that are established to meet specific needs for the town.

Recently Selectman Renzoni stated on his official social media account that the report and proposed zoning plan submitted by the Board of Selectman appointed MBTA Working Group was “…crafted largely by political appointees…” and that “…Selectman’s fundamental duty is to represent residents… not unelected political appointees…”.  These so-called “political appointees” were chosen by Renzoni and his Select Board colleagues and are all residents of the Town of Holden.

It is unfortunate that a member of the Select Board does not respect the time and effort of community volunteers. I for one want to thank the members of all boards and committees in Holden. Many town committees are appointed by the BOS and interested residents are required to submit applications or letters of interest that outline their expertise for the position. The MBTA Communities Act Workgroup was appointed in the same way. Our elected officials should respect the volunteer efforts of citizens and not publicly disparage and seek to disregard their work.

I look forward to learning more about the plan that the Working Group has developed and that will be reviewed by the Holden Planning Board. If approved by town voters, the plan will allow Holden to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, reinstate town eligibility for certain grant funds, and not necessitate intervention of the Commonwealth in the required multifamily zoning.

–  Karen King, Holden

Regarding your article, Pressure and Pullback: Holden’s High Stakes Clash with the State (Dec. WFP), it might be useful to explain the parameters of what the state is imposing on Holden and why it was defeated last May.

The MBTA Communities Act is requiring Holden to re-zone for 750 multi-family units on 50 acres of land (15 units per acre). This would increase the town’s population by several thousand, place a huge burden on our over-crowded schools, require us to add to our water and sewer lines, and increase the flow of traffic throughout the town. All of which are at full capacity.

At a time when Holden is facing Prop 2.5 overrides for the next few years, it seems counter-productive for the residents to take on this unfunded mandate imposed by the state. As a result of these tax increases, property values will take it on the chin and the cost of living in Holden will become even more expensive.

The state threatening to hold back grants and funding doesn’t compare to the overall costs to our town if this is implemented. A new school alone costs between $200 - $300 million to build. Your article referencing that the state would step in and take away Holden’s ability for oversight, and selecting the parcels of land used for re-zoning, implies Holden will no longer be in charge of their own planning. Something that our town has successfully maintained for over 300 years.

These important factors are what residents are concerned with and should be brought to light.

– Jim Provencher, Holden

Editor’s note: WFP has published another article this month on the MBTA Communities Act and invites readers to share their thoughts on this important topic.