I have a few observations about Special Town Meeting. First, it was remarkably and fortunately much more civil than I had anticipated, particularly relative to the tone of political discourse in town these days, let alone across the country as a whole.
When I arrived at STM, I was completely predisposed to vote against Article 4 and adoption of the Stretch Energy Code (SEC). After hearing many articulate and compelling arguments on both sides of the issue, I felt my firm conviction beginning to waiver. However, although environmental benefits may be a given, I still voted against it for the simple reason that, if the economic benefits proffered are indeed so compelling, there would be no need to legislate or codify the SEC. I have been told that codification is necessary so that the performance standards, not just prescriptive standards, will be enforced against the builders. However, these same performance standards can easily be voluntarily inserted in any construction agreement and confirmed by a HERS inspector.
The other reason I voted against adoption is that most everyone in town has a choice whether to install new windows, Energy Star appliances, and go stretch “green.” It is only for those few who might build anew or seek an addition that we have chosen. We so easily feel that we meet our moral and social obligations so long as it is others that bear the imposition and any economic burden.
By contrast, a substantial majority of the town, unlike the rest of the commonwealth, a week earlier voted to repeal Chapter 40B, the affordable housing development statute. While there are indeed many issues with 40B, most notably that developers use it as leverage to build other types of developments, its purpose and result is quite often affordable housing. Nonetheless, so many voted to repeal possibly because a 40B development may actually affect them. As an aside, when town counsel was asked at STM whether the SEC applies to 40B developments, he correctly pointed out that it does. Yet it does and it does not. Because the vast majority of 40B homes and units are less than 3,000 square feet, they are most often exempt from the tougher stretch standards. Lastly, I know that many in town might disagree with some of my views, and that is fine. Further, I do not think of them as the enemy.
Laurance Yahia
Massachusetts Ave.
