On February 19, 2025, state officials formally notified the Town of Marshfield that it is in noncompliance with Massachusetts’ MBTA Communities Law. The notice, issued by Edward M. Augustus, Jr., Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities, follows a recent Supreme Judicial Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of Section 3A of the Zoning Act.
The court’s opinion in Attorney General v. Town of Milton on January 8, 2025, confirmed that the law is enforceable and that the state Attorney General has the power to ensure compliance. In response, the Executive Office filed emergency regulations on January 14, 2025—guidelines that Marshfield could have used to come into interim compliance by submitting a new action plan by February 13, 2025. However, the town failed to provide the necessary plan, thus falling short of the requirements.
The letter highlights that compliance with the MBTA Communities Law is essential for participation in discretionary grant programs administered by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The notice also extends an invitation to Marshfield officials to seek assistance from MBTA Communities Compliance Coordinator Nathan Carlucci if needed.
State leaders remain hopeful that cooperation will lead to a swift resolution of the compliance issues, ensuring Marshfield’s eligibility for future state funding. Further comments from local officials have not yet been received, and the situation continues to develop.
Stay tuned to South Shore Times and South Shore News for ongoing coverage of this developing story.
For more Marshfield news from South Shore Times, be sure to check out our Marshfield homepage.