Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1539617
wbjournal.com | September 22, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 5 Build housing faster In an effort to increase the pace of new housing development in Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey has proposed streamlining the environmental review process for certain new housing projects, with the goal of reducing the time spent on the process from about one year to 30 days. Environmental reviews are a hallmark of community planning, to ensure new development doesn't negatively impact surrounding properties or natural resources, even though the process does add significant time and often cost to projects. Healey's proposal comes after Massachusetts fell behind the national average in new housing production, despite adding 90,000 new units since she became governor in 2023. When polled online, nearly two-thirds of WBJ readers said the environmental review time needs to be faster. Should Massachusetts significantly reduce the environmental review time for new housing projects? erty was sold to an entity managed by Anthony Barry, the owner of Graf- ton-based Service Plus Disposal. Feedback Earth had been subject to a barrage of complaints from local residents over smells emanating from its facility designed to convert food waste into animal feed. e company was fined in 2022 and again in 2023 for violations of terms of its state permit and was subject to a lawsuit from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Of- fice in October over noxious odors. e processing of shellfish was commonly cited as the cause of odors at the site. Feedback Earth also dealt with two fires at the facility in 2023, according to the Community Advocate. Nobody was hurt in either blaze. Service Plus will convert the 24,900-square-foot industrial building on the site into a construction debris transfer station, according to a press release issued by Fieldstone Commer- cial Properties. Service Plus already has a presence in the area, owning a site located at 91 Creeper Hill Road, according to Town of Graon property Feedback Earth site in Grafton sold for $4M as company known for odor issues leaves Aer years of complaints and legal issues regarding the smell emanating from its Graon facility, food recycling firm Feedback Earth is exiting Massa- chusetts aer selling the property for $4.04 million. e site, located at 109 Creeper Hill Road, was sold in a deal finalized on Sept 5, according to Worcester District Registry of Deeds records. e prop- Clarity & Confidence Starts with a Bank that Cares Our C.A.R.E. process ensures that we understand your unique finanicial goals and tailor solutions to meet them. Every moment with our clients matters. At Fidelity Bank, we see every interaction as an opportunity to listen, care, and provide clarity — so you can spend less time worrying about your financial life and more time focusing on the things that matter most. Call or visit a caring LifeDesign Banker Today 800.581.5363 FidelityBankOnline.com Continued on next page A sign across the street from the former Feedback Earth site Yes, Mass. needs a sense of urgency in building more housing. 33% 7% Yes, although the environmental review time should be more than the proposed 30 days. 30% No, the threat of environmental damage is too great to rush the review process. 18% No, it's not worth it, as several other variables need fixing in order to increase the pace of housing production. 12% No, Mass. doesn't need to increase the pace of housing production.