To the editor:
In 30 years as a Peterborough resident I’ve never commented on town governance, but I’m concerned that the Planning Board is not respecting our democracy. We debated the “Zoning Simplification” amendment in 2018. Though contentious, the debate ensured that voters understood the issues. It was defeated 72 percent to 28 percent, sending a strong signal to the Planning Board their proposal needed significant changes.
The Planning Board promised to address voters’ concerns. In almost a year, they proposed no significant changes. In response to this inaction, a group of citizens put forward zoning amendment 15. The amendment addressed the issues most concerning to 2018 “No” voters. Sadly, these good citizens were subjected to harsh personal attacks by a small vocal minority.
Then it seems, a Planning Board member facilitated a protest to amendment 15. The protest was approved surreptitiously in the final Select Board meeting before the vote. External legal review has since identified potentially serious problems with the protest. Legal semantics aside, the town violated the spirit of transparency that we all expect. Amendment 15 passed by a majority of 52 percent but was disallowed because the protest requires 67 percent. The will of the majority has been thwarted again. Now the town is spending taxpayer money to defend a protest to an amendment that actually passed. Voters concerns with current zoning are not a mystery (see amendment 15).
Why isn’t the Planning Board implementing its clear mandate from the majority? Peterborough has more important priorities than an endless zoning discussion. Respect for the will of the majority is fundamental to democracy. The majority has spoken on zoning. The Planning Board must respond in good faith.
Peter Kambol
Peterborough