To the editor:

It's election season and by all accounts from last week’s letters-to-the-editor, some appear to be hoping that voters can be kept in the dark on the actual truth concerning affordable housing in Barrington.  

The letters included claims that Barrington "desperately" needs more affordable housing; claims of state laws that don't actually exist; and bragging rights to a Barrington Comprehensive Plan that might instead bring a federal lawsuit to our doorstep. 

In Michael Winitsky's letter, the claim is made that Barrington has a “desperate” need for more affordable housing. In fact, there are many low and moderately priced homes in Barrington that meet the state's own guidelines on price affordability. The problem is simply that the state will not recognize actual affordable homes until a state approved deed restriction is applied. The alleged “desperate” need is largely contrived by developers and other insiders whose cash-flow depends on affordable housing expansion, not on meeting an actual local need. 

Exactly what does state law require? Contrary to Mr. Winitsky's other claims, there is absolutely no state law requiring developers or municipalities to build 20 percent affordable housing into every project. What state law does require is that if a developer requests a higher density than zoning allows, a percentage of affordable housing may be mandated in the project.

It is true that a past Barrington town council did create a local ordinance requiring 25 percent affordable housing for all new developments over 3 units, even when there is no zoning change requested. This ordinance was adopted voluntarily by a majority town council intent on charting a new course for the town apart from any state law requirement to do so. But a question remains: Is this ordinance legal?

The town solicitor has never offered an opinion on whether US Supreme Court rulings against the taking of property rights would require Barrington taxpayers to pay a developer for the reduced value of their private property because of the ordinance. Did the council leadership even ask for a legal opinion from the solicitor on this matter?

The council leadership has too often gambled the interests of residents in the name of affordable housing expansion. Councilor Michael Carroll proclaimed in his letter-to-the-editor bragging rights to the state approved Barrington Comprehensive Plan. What Councilor Carroll failed to disclose was that the council leadership did not address federal standards imposed on all municipalities who take HUD funds. The state does not check for federal defects when approving comp plans.  

HUD has historically maintained a policy that comp plans shall be retroactively reviewed only after a complaint is filed against the municipality. This was how Westchester County, NY discovered the bad news that their comp plan was defective to HUD standards. This cost Westchester taxpayers $52 million in a settlement paid through local property taxes.

It's clear that the times are changing fast. Advocates rushing to force-fit contrived public policies is not a prudent course for our town. Please consider this important matter in November.

Gary Morse

Barrington