A Massachusetts man has become an unlikely hero after his speech at a meeting about housing policy. David Modica, 35, delighted those in attendance with his comments during a meeting where officials representing the town of Marblehead mulled a proposal to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.
The MBTA Communities Act is a law introduced by the state of Massachusetts requiring more than 170 cities or towns to create more housing for families near public transport links. After stepping to the podium, Modica directed a question in his thick Boston accent at planning board member Marc Liebman.
'We're trying to make sure we build no houses?' Modica asked. 'Like, I don't get it. Like people live in houses. Are we trying to do nothing? Because it seems like we’re doing nothing.'
Marblehead is one of a few towns that is holding out against the law due to locals' fears about overdevelopment, the Boston Globe reported. The proposal being considered at the meeting included rezoning a privately-owned golf course spanning more than 30 acres.
'I’m no expert on this. I didn’t even know it was a golf course. I hadn’t driven by,' Modica said. 'So they're not going to build any houses there, because it's a golf course.'
Under the law, Marblehead is required to pass a plan that allows 897 homes - but most of those would not actually be built according to the town's plan as its land is mostly already developed, the Globe reported.
'I just want to make sure we’re voting on nothing substantive,' he added before receiving laughs and cheers from the audience.
One of Modica's most searing lines came when discussing the desire to avoid overdevelopment in Marblehead. 'So when we're preserving the character of Marblehead, it's like, we're selfish. We're doing a bad thing,' he said. 'Are we kind of being p****s?'
Modica later told the Globe that he wasn't an activist but was 'just some guy.' He said the plan Marblehead had agreed on was 'dishonest' and wanted to 'make sure everyone knew it was completely farcical and stupid', going on to call it 'toothless nonsense.'
Viewers shared their amusement at the clip with comments online. 'This is the greatest thing I've ever heard in a town meeting,' one wrote. 'Smart, smarmy, compassionate,' another said. The Daily Mail has contacted the Marblehead Planning Board for comment.
