I commend Darcy Dumont for her concern over the new development in the center of town. I, too, have concerns and have heard the same from citizens. My objection is not with Dumont’s motivation but with her solution: the shiny object of a building moratorium. It all sounds great until you ask yourself if she can get 9 out of 13 votes on a new Town Council to pass it. That is what it would take to have any legal teeth: a two-thirds vote. For those of you who have told me you just wish the fighting would stop, ask yourself about the likelihood of a divisive battle over this proposal.
Does this approach feel familiar? Another local political battle leading to stalemate? Part of the “art” of politics is learning how to get things done without a pitched battle.
How about this for an un-shiny solution: the new Town Council reconstitutes the Planning Board (per the new Charter). Joint, collaborative meetings are held to prepare and pass zoning changes addressing each concern: scale, parking, affordable units, “inviting” sidewalks.
From my 18 years of professional and voluntary committee experience, I can tell you that passing small changes is infinitely easier. They are better understood and, even if not all pass, hold the promise of at least partial success. It also gets the Town Council off on the right, consensus-building foot. If we can agree now on that more productive path, then perhaps we can turn our attention to the real shiny object: making our schools inviting.
Paul Bobrowski
Amherst
Candidate for Town Council, District 5