WHO KNEW that a Colonial act of generosity would someday divide an affluent suburb? In 1701, Governor William Stoughton willed a 34-acre parcel to the town of Milton for the benefit of the poor. Over the centuries, the land known as the Town Farm has been used for smallpox quarantines, transient housing, and an animal shelter. It also hosts three rental housing units whose modest proceeds help the poor. But the farm’s buildings are crumbling, its endowment is dwindling, and the town must decide what to do with the land, now surrounded by million-dollar homes.
Interpreting Governor Stoughton’s will has proved tricky - especially the question of who qualifies as poor. Should the trust only help the truly indigent, or could it be used for working people who otherwise would be priced out of Milton? In many communities, people below 80 percent of the median income are eligible for some form of subsidized housing. In Milton, that would apply to a family of four that earns $65,000 - people who aren’t destitute, but might be hard-pressed to find a home in a town whose median housing price exceeds $400,000. Shouldn’t teachers and social workers be able to live in Milton, too?
The debate in Milton has implications for many Massachusetts communities with a dearth of affordable housing. Because the town of Milton owns the farm land, the rules of Chapter 40B - which would allow a developer to bypass zoning laws - don’t apply here. Still, some have seized on the spirit of that law, and of Governor Stoughton’s bequest, to suggest an opportunity for Milton to become more accessible. Opponents of development cite the need to protect history and the potential drain on town resources.
The mere prospect of subsidized housing sends many into paroxysms. And, in fact, a high-density housing complex on the town farm site would serve nobody well. But a modest development of 58 to 88 townhouse-style units, divided equally among low-income, moderate-income, and market-rate housing, seems a reasonable way to raise money for Milton’s poorest while expanding opportunities for working families. Such a development would not unduly burden schools or roads, and would be compatible with preserving historic buildings and some open space. It would also show a spirit of social responsibility that would have made Governor Stoughton proud.
