In its quest for Town Meeting approval from Harvard, Shirley, and Ayer that would pave the way for its redevelopment of former military housing at Vicksburg Square in Devens, Trinity Financial found itself "preaching to the choir" at a public hearing Monday night in Devens.

None of those among the Devens residents and officials who spoke during the gathering at the MassDevelopment regional office on Andrews Parkway were critical of the proposal, which is for 246 rental units, 80 percent of which is planned as income-restricted affordable housing, with preferences for seniors and military veterans.

They were, however, critical of the towns whose town meeting voters will be asked to approve the zoning changes necessary for the project to go forward. While no Harvard board has yet released an official stance on the proposal, several local officials have been openly critical of it, including at a public hearing in Harvard on Nov. 21; and a report from the town's Devens Economic Advisory Team released in September suggested that selling market-rate condos at the site might be more beneficial than renting them.

In Ayer, the Finance Committee has officially come out against the project, claiming in a statement last week it would have a "detrimental impact" on the community.

At the meeting Monday, Devens residents said they were worried about having the fate of the project they support in the hands of their neighboring communities.

"We have no vote in the process, that's what scares the hell out of me," said Devens resident Bob Eisengrein at Monday's meeting. "…The problem is in Ayer and Harvard."

Trinity project manager Abby Goldenfarb pointed out that Devens residents do have a vote; they may vote in the town meeting of the town where their homes are located. The former U.S. Army base straddles the historical borders of Harvard, Ayer, and Shirley.

"Everyone in this room votes in Harvard or Ayer," Goldenfarb said. "…When it comes down to it, it's who shows up at Super Town Meeting."

Trinity Financial president Jim Keefe told the group his company is going to stick with the project, even if Super Town Meeting has to be pushed back to June. Right now Trinity is aiming for a vote sometime in January or February.

"If you guys stick with us, we're going to stick with you," Keefe said.

Keefe admitted, however, "If we are not successful at the Super Town Meeting, that'll be the end, and the people will have spoken and we'll accept the decision."

George Ramirez, executive vice president of Devens operations for MassDevelopment, the quasi-state agency with authority over the Devens zone, also spoke at Monday's meeting. He said MassDevelopment CEO Marty Jones will be holding a meeting "in the future" to address Vicksburg Square. MassDevelopment supports Trinity's plan.

"That will probably be a Wednesday night in the middle of January," Ramirez said.

Also, Ramirez said, MassDevelopment will be releasing in "the very near future" a written response to a letter from the Harvard Board of Selectmen (published in the Harvard Press on Dec. 2) that identified "shortcomings" and suggested changes to the Vicksburg Square project.