Article 20 sought to amend the town’s zoning bylaws by replacing all references to the Housing Partnership with the Marshfield Affordable Housing Trust. Town Planner Greg Guimond explained that the Housing Partnership no longer exists and the Housing Trust is its successor entity, holding the legal authority to invest and spend funds for affordable housing units. The Planning Board supported the move with a 5-0 vote.

The article faced sharp criticism from resident Joe Povich, who argued that the Housing Partnership was never formally dissolved and that the change was more than mere housekeeping. Marshfield Housing Partnership actually had pretty good success in creating affordable housing units, Povich stated, suggesting the Planning Board should re-evaluate the transition, particularly regarding how in-lieu-of funds are handled. Town Counsel Robert Galvin clarified that the Trust has the necessary authority that the Partnership lacked, making it the more effective governing body.

Motion: The planning board moves that the town vote to amend the Marshfield Code Division 3 zoning bylaw chapter 305 zoning by deleting all reference to the housing partnership each time it appears in said code and inserting Marshfield affordable housing trust in place thereof.

Vote: Passed by 2/3 Majority