A central Massachusetts lawmaker has called on the Healey administration to stop “weaponizing” a statewide housing law after a local school district got caught in the crossfire.

The criticism from Sen. Peter Durant, R-Worcester/Hampshire, came after he learned Wachusett Regional High School had been denied money from a state grant program that teaches students budget and money-management skills.

The high school’s application for $3,200 from the state’s Credit for Life program was denied because officials in Holden have not yet complied with the MBTA Communities Law , which requires multi-family housing construction along mass transit lines.

Earlier this year, residents in Holden, one of five feeder towns for the high school, shot down an effort to bring the community into compliance w

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