![IMG_2717[1]](https://uptondaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_27171.jpg)
By Marty Green
As a pro business Democrat and owner of a local real estate company, with a strong focus on industrial/commercial properties, I have watched the Upton and Grafton railroad project in the town of Grafton with special interest.
I have listened to residents, town officials and business owners voice opinions on the proposed propane project. I believe the development should comply with all the same local, state and federal laws and regulations that any other new business has to comply with.
This is an issue of fairness. Everyone should be subject to the same laws. Why should a small-business owner who is opening a new store, or medical facility have to obey different laws than a large project such as the proposed propane facility?
The developer should be held to the same standards as any other business owner. The health and safety of the employees, neighbors, and the general public should be paramount. It is time the Town of Grafton and its residents are stopped from being railroaded.
If elected I will work with business owners and local, state and federal officials to avoid costly lawsuits like I have done for the last 20 years in bringing the public and private sector together.
UPTON DAILY 
The federal laws on railroads were enacted when there was an empty country stretching westwards in which they could be built. This is not the case in Massachusetts. Marty Green is quite right in saying that railroads should be responsible to the towns through which they pass.
And this is why Marty Green should NOT be elected. The reality of the situation is there a FEDERAL level laws and regulations which superceed state and local laws and regulations. It’s time for everyone to stop beating this dead horse and move on. Right now the town residents of Grafton are possibly facing a huge lawsuit settlement that will cost them lots of cash. Marty wants this to become a state issue which in turn could result in the same type of settlement against the state. It’s time to realize that the Federal government has precluded the railroads from certain things for specific reasons. Good luck moving the ship that is Federal regulations in your lifetime. The only potential winner in this whole thing is the railroad and it’s owner, certainly not the taxpayers at a local or state level.