WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Apple is asking weekly questions to the seven candidates running in contested primaries for the Wilmington/Tewksbury State Representative seat (19th Middlesex).
Below, in her own words, are the responses to this week’s questions from candidate Pina Prinzivalli (R-Tewksbury).
#17) What are some of the major infrastructure needs in the district? Can you point to specific streets/areas within both towns that “need work?” What will you do as State Rep to ensure certain roadway projects, sidewalk projects, etc. finally get addressed?
Everything needs work, seriously. From state roads, to local side streets and neighborhoods, the conditions are terrible. We spend $675,000 per road mile in Massachusetts. The national average is $145,000. We’re second to only New Jersey. So how is it we’re spending so much money, but yet our roads are considered some of the worst in the country? Nearly half of the gas tax we pay at the pump gets diverted to the MBTA where they had $6 Billion in deferred maintenance and an upside pension system. Remember when the tolls on the Mass Pike were supposed to come down once the road was paid for? It’s been paid for and the tolls are still there, so where is that money going? A State Rep candidate can say they are going to do this and do that when it comes to road repairs, but it’s only lip service. We have to change the culture of “business as usual” on Beacon Hill that has us paying so much but getting so little in return for our tax dollars.
#18) As State Rep, what will you do to increase affordable housing opportunities for seniors, veterans and young adults right out of school? Also, what are your thoughts on the Governor’s proposal to promote more dense housing developments by changing the 2/3 majority vote to a simple majority vote for rezonings at Town Meetings? (Background: https://www.massachusettslandusemonitor.com/zoning/governor-baker-proposes-zoning-changes-to-promote-more-housing/) Finally, do you feel the state’s 40B laws need to be updated? Why?
I want to speak to more people before committing to an opinion on the Governor’s proposal. I’m a big believer that 40B laws are in need of major reform. 40B is a developer’s dream. They’re able to override local bylaws and make a lot of money. And there’s a problem with the way the state counts the units that are designated as “affordable.” A major overhaul of this law is needed.
(NOTE: Do you have a question for the candidates? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com and it may be asked in a future Q&A or in a debate.)
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Wilmington Apple 
#17 on the third question once again no answer to what this candidate will do and to add insult to injury saying that the 40b needs major reform and is a developer’s dream but not against the Governor’s proposal to more dense housing developments by changing the town meeting passage from a 2/3 vote to a simple majority. Please this candidate nothing more than a rubber stamp for the agenda of big corporations and the 1%