Mass. AG Sues Nine MBTA-Adjacent Towns for Housing-Zoning Noncompliance

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed lawsuits against nine MBTA-adjacent towns—Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Winthrop—for failing to implement zoning that allows multi‑family housing near transit as required by the 2021 MBTA Communities Law. The suit aims to compel compliance amid a state effort that has seen 165 of 177 communities comply and is projected to spur about 7,000 new homes, though some towns like Holden and East Bridgewater have argued they’re making good‑faith efforts. Carver, Freetown and Rehoboth are noncompliant but not included in this action. The case follows prior rulings that the law is constitutional and enforceable, with the state previously using funding leverage and court authority to push compliance.