Letter: I encourage people to speak up on Bruni 40B

This Thursday, Nov. 12, there will be a special meeting of the zoning board of appeals (ZBA) for a public hearing on the proposed development on Essex Road (Bruni’s).

A petition has been created on change.org for the citizens of Ipswich to express their opposition to this project. As of Sunday there are nearly 1000 signatures on this petition. 

The scope of the proposed 40B development of 194 units is inappropriate and incompatible with the goals of the Town of Ipswich as stated in its housing production plan.

This development would put a huge strain on the town’s traffic, police and safety infrastructure as well as its already overburdened water supply, schools and other services.

It would require dozens and dozens of overrides of the towns regulations and bylaws including water use, traffic, environmental and wetlands regulations. 

The hearing on this proposal this Thursday is public and will be held on Zoom.

This meeting is the time and the place for those who object to this development to voice their objections and be heard.

The Ipswich zoning board has authority to control this development. It is up to the citizens of Ipswich to express their views to the board and to our town leadership.

I encourage everyone who cares about Ipswich to sign this petition and attend this meeting.

• The Zoom meeting will be held at this location Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83976303096?pwd=Sll2Z25lQ2dUMVJvOGFCMmI1ZC9UQT09
• The petition can be found at: https://www.change.org/p/ipswich-zoning-board-and-town-officials-ipswich-citizens-opposed-to-essex-rd-proposal

Chris Florio
Ipswich