Politics & Government

What Should Chelmsford Do When Impacted By Its Neighbors?

It's said that good fences make good neighbors, but when a fence isn't available, what's the next best option?

On Monday night, the Lowell Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a methadone clinic right on the border of Chelmsford, reversing an earlier decision. But that's not the only big project coming up on Chelmsford's borders.

A new 40B Affordable Housing Complex is currently under construction in Westford on Littleton Road, just a few feet from the Chelmsford border, and another one was recently approved in Billerica, just a few hundred feet away from another proposed complex that will go back before the Chelmsford ZBA on Thursday.

The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen have said they will pursue legal avenues for situations like these, but it's unclear as of yet what those may be, and today we want to ask you for your thoughts.

Are there legal loopholes currently on the books that don't directly involve zoning?

Or, should the town pursue new legislation from its delegation on Beacon Hill that gives it more power with abutting properties?

What about more regional efforts through the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments?

Or, are all of these things not as big a deal as they might seem, and for that matter, is Chelmsford being a good neighbor to other towns?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 


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