State Grant Helps Landowners Improve Wildlife Habitat

According to the Newburyport Current, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is accepting grant applications through Dec. 21, from private landowners, sportsmen’s clubs, land trusts and nonprofit organizations interested in enhancing wildlife habitat on their properties. MassWildlife’s Landowner Incentive Program reimburses private landowners for up to 75% of the cost of managing land to improve habitat for declining wildlife species. The Newburyport Current reports that the Landowner Incentive Program has provided more than $2.1 million for 108 habitat improvement projects since the first round of grants in 2005.

This year’s grant round will give preference to proposed projects to maintain grasslands and create young tree and shrub land habitats. Funding for the Massachusetts program is allocated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under a nationwide Landowner Incentive Program. For information about the Landowner Incentive Program and the grant application and criteria, click here.

Read the entire Newburyport Current article

Amesbury Officials Compromise on 115 Split Tax Rate

The Newburyport Daily News reported that Municipal councilors and the mayor have struck a compromise to leave the town’s split tax rate as-is, with businesses paying a rate 15% higher than homeowners. The average homeowner’s bill will rise by 4% next year ($203). Commercial businesses will see their tax bills go up on average by 21% ($1,708). And industrial properties will see their bills go up on average 12% ($2,084) based on this year’s revaluation. The rate for homeowners is $14.59 per $1,000 of assessed value; for businesses it is $17.20.

The majority of the council had wanted to raise the rate on businesses to 20% more than what homeowners pay; Mayor Thatcher Kezer vetoed that and asked the council to reduce the difference to 10%. In 2006, Amesbury became the first community in the Greater Newburyport area to adopt a split tax rate for homeowners and businesses. Amid strong objections from the public and the mayor at the time — who vetoed last year’s tax rate as well — the Municipal Council adopted the tax rate of 115%.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article

120-Unit Affordable Apartment Complex to be Built Near NECC

The Eagle Tribune reported that in late winter/early spring, construction is expected to be underway for a 120-unit apartment complex neighboring Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill.

The North Essex Crossing complex, being built by developers, Stephen Stapinski of Merrimack Engineering Services and King Weinstein of King Real Estate in Haverhill, was originally approved in 2001 by the Zoning Board of Appeals, and will be built on Route 110, between Wannalancet Road and Airport Lane, less than a quarter-mile from Interstate 495, near Greenleaf Gardens landscaping center and Haverhill Crossings, an assisted-living complex that houses mostly elders.

The development calls for 90 market-rate apartments renting for about $1,500 per month and 30 affordable units that will cost about $950 per month. People with incomes no higher than 80% of the region's median income are eligible for the affordable units.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article

Mix of Uses Proposed for Development off I-93 in Andover

The Andover Townsman reports that landowners are creating plans to develop 52 acres in Lowell Junction, off I-93 in Andover on the Tewksbury line. Proposed plans include a mixed-use building with retail and office space, residential development, and the potential for a 370-room hotel. An MBTA commuter rail abuts the property.

According to the article, “Planning Board Chairman Paul Salafia told [developer] RJ Kelly Co. representatives that protecting the downtown and its businesses would be a priority as the plans to build a new I-93 interchange between Dascomb Road and Route 125 develop. The land would be opened to development by the proposed new ramps off I-93.”

Read the entire Andover Townsman article

Water Rate Increases in Georgetown

The Georgetown Record reported the Georgetown Water Department has increased the water bill rate by $15/quarter, or $60/year. The increase will bring in approximately $160,000 in extra revenue for the Water Department (around $420,000 annually) and was deemed necessary to provide the town’s basic needs, including funding capital improvements and meeting rising supply and fuel costs. Additionally, according to Water Superintendent Glenn Smith, the department is still paying for its water treatment plant built in 2000, along with a new water main installed last year.

Read the entire Georgetown Record article

Moseley Property in West Newbury Receives $285,600 Grant from State

According to the Newburyport Current, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Self-Help Program has recently funded $8 million in grants to 23 communities to conserve 1,405 acres of land.

West Newbury’s Mosely Property, an extension of the 800-plus acre Mosely property in Newburyport that forms Moseley Woods and Maudslay State Park, received $285,600 to protect 22.2 acres, including an open field and frontage on Indian Hill Road.

According to the article:

Since 1961, Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Self-Help Program has helped cities and towns acquire land for conservation and outdoor recreation such as hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, hunting, and cross-country skiing. To qualify for grants, communities must supply local matching funds, and the protected open space must be open to the public… This year’s grant round includes approximately $6.2 million in state funding and $1.7 million from the federal Land & Water Conservation Fund, which EEA’s Division of Conservation Services administers for the Commonwealth.

For more information on the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environment Affairs, Self-Help Program, click here.

Read the entire Newburyport Current article

State Approves $1.2 million Boardwalk in Haverhill

According to the Eagle Tribune, the state has approved a $1.2 million Boardwalk in downtown Haverhill, which is designed to be a Newburyport-style Riverwalk boardwalk, with a 300-foot walkway, extending from behind The Tap to the new Franchi condominium building at 66 Washington Street. The project also includes renovating the old city boardwalk behind Haverhill Bank on Merrimack Street, about a quarter of a mile from The Tap.

Revitalizing the downtown Haverhill business section and attracting tourism have been perennial goals of Haverhill’s newly re-elected mayor, James Fiorentini, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and the resident-led Team Haverhill.

Click here to read the entire Eagle Tribune article, featuring the Mayor’s detailed plans for downtown Haverhill.

New Traffic Signal in Middleton Improves Traffic

The Tri-Town Transcript reports that a new traffic light at Forest Street and North Main Street in Middleton has improved traffic. The signal is part of the State’s renovations to the town’s main throughway, Route 114.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article

Verizon Pitches Danvers for TV License

The Danvers Herald reports that Verizon is seeking to be the 2nd cable TV in Danvers. Currently Comcast is the only company licensed by the Town to provide cable services; without a license, Verizon cannot provide the service. Verizon would offer fiber optic lines, or FIOS, and it could package TV service with Internet and telephone.

Amongst the concerns of the Town Selectmen are to be sure any license holder provided the service to every person in town, not just to those living in the more congested areas; that every public building and school had the service; and that a percentage of the fee went to the local community access TV (DCAT).

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Beverly seeks bids on Beverly Airport lot

The Beverly Citizen reports the city of Beverly is looking for bids to develop a 3-acre lot adjacent to the Beverly Airport. Proposals can be turned in at City Hall; the deadline for proposed bids are December 28th. According to the article, “possible development of the land − which would either be sold or leased − could include light manufacturing, office space or industrial uses. A special permit could allow other uses such as a hotel. The property is a triangularly shaped parcel on the northwestern corner of LP Henderson Road and Sam Fonzo Drive.”

The Airport Commission declared the land surplus in February 2005. Later that year, after some debate, the City Council voted 8-1 to also approve it as surplus. The City of Beverly also put the property out for bid last year but failed to receive any response.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article

Topsfield Property Owner to Convert House into Commercial Property

The Tri-Town Transcript reports that owner of this Central Street residence in Topsfield, is looking to convert the home into office or retail use. The Topsfield Zoning Board of Appeals are concerned about the location of a handicap ramp and parking. Currently, the applicant(s) have not decided what type of business is intended for the property. The next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled for November 27th.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article. Photo and article by Brendan Lewis, who can be reached at BLewis@cnc.com.

Gloucester Unlikely to Subsidize Sewer Betterments

The Walker Creek, Little River and Jones River neighborhoods in Gloucester are all notorious for failed septic systems near estuaries of the Annisquam River. According to the Gloucester Daily Times:

“A City Council committee working with representatives of Mayor John Bell has drafted an ordinance that makes it highly unlikely the city will help subsidize betterments in future sewer expansions, as it has since the 1980s. A public hearing on the draft ordinance was tentatively scheduled for Dec.11. The draft replaces a simple repeal proposal that had been expected fortwo years…. Two years ago, the mayor's Sewer Task Force identified those areas as needing to be brought onto the municipal sewer system. But unless the projects to bring them on are mandated by a state or federal order, they would not qualify under the draft ordinance for the same betterment subsidy that other sections of the city received.”

The article reports that according to the Sewer Task Force, there are about 300 homes along Walker Creek. Without the subsidy, the projected betterment bill to each in 2005 was estimated at $40,000.

Read the entire Gloucester Daily Times article

Old Salem Evening News Building Demolished

The Salem News reported that on November 8th, the old Salem Evening News building was demolished in favor of downtown condominiums, apartments and shops. It had been empty the last few years and was beginning to become an eye-sore in an otherwise thriving downtown Salem. Somerville-based developer RCG, which bought the site in the summer for $2.4 million, plans to build 31 residences and finish construction in 2009.

Read the entire Salem News article

Middleton Company Makes-Over Rundown Land

The Tri-Town Transcript reported that BWK Construction, a Middleton business, has recently finished its expansion move, and in the process transformed two rundown parcels of land with “a number of decrepit shacks” on North Main Street into a charming yellow office building at 171 North Main Street.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article

Danvers Plans for Plains Railroad Station on Hold

The Danvers Herald reported plans in Danvers to move the Plains Railroad Station are currently on hold; Salem Five Bank has now decided not to give the necessary land to the Danvers Preservation Fund, Inc.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Topsfield’s Tax Rate on the Rise

According to the Tri-Town Transcript, Topsfield is submitting an increased tax rate to the state; $12.02 per $1000 of assessed property − a 3.9% increase from fiscal 2007’s rate of $11.57 per $1000 of assessed property. The average single-family home in Topsfield is assessed at $583,000. Therefore, the average single-family tax bill would rise from $6,745 to $7,007, a $262 increase on their tax bill from last year. Residential properties in Topsfield make up almost 93% of the tax base in the town.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article

Gloucester to Re-do $200,000 Crosswalk

According to the Gloucester Times, last year’s $200,000 modification of the crosswalks at Grant Circle in Gloucester is being modified. The state Highway Department has shifted the crossing of the northbound lane back to where it was until last spring − at the edge of the circle itself. MassHighway spokesman Erik Abell said the reconfiguration should be finished by the end of the year and cost about $100,000.

Read the entire Gloucester Times article

Federal Street Houses to be Moved in Salem

According to the Salem News, the State has accepted proposals to move 3 historic homes on Federal Street in Salem, which puts the town one step closer to building the proposed $106 million J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center.

Read the entire Salem News article

Merrimack River Dredging Project Survives Presidential Veto

The Eagle Tribune reported recently that the U.S House of Representatives overrode President Bush’s veto for the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which would allow the Army Corps of Engineers to study the possibility of dredging the Merrimack River from Newburyport to Haverhill, a 16-mile stretch.

According to the article, “Newly elected U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, was among the lawmakers to cast an override vote. Tsongas said the dredging is important to Haverhill's downtown renaissance − deeper waters would allow larger boats to dock in Haverhill, bringing in more visitors to shop and eat downtown.”

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article. Photo courtesy of Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce

National Mortgage Broker Licensing System

According to the Boston Globe Real Estate Blog, Massachusetts is joining 6 other states in implementing a nationwide registry that will provide a uniform licensing system for mortgage brokers, lenders and loan officers.

The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System is set to debut January 2, 2008, and nearly 40 state agencies have so far committed to participating in the registry. The new system is intended to streamline licensing for registrants, improve supervision of mortgage professionals and give regulators another tool to fight fraud.

Read the entire Boston Globe Real Estate Blog post

November 9, 2007 Legislative Breakfast

On Friday, November 9th, NSAR sponsored its 4th Legislative Breakfast in 2007, attended by State Senator Steven Baddour (D-1st Essex) and State Representative Harriett Stanley (D-2nd Essex).

The Breakfast was held at ABC Home Inspections, Inc. and ABC Real Estate Training Institute in Haverhill; NSAR would like to thank Affiliate Member Andy Consoli for allowing us to use his conference room and facilities (seen here).

MAR Associate Counsel, Margy Grant, presented the five legislative topics on the agenda and gave the legislators the Realtor® position on each issue. These issues included:

1. Transfer Taxes. Realtors® oppose real estate transfer taxes as bad tax policy for several reasons including: a community wide responsibility should be paid for by the entire community; a transfer tax is inequitable and discriminatory as it singles out a small segment of the population [specifically home buyers & sellers] to pay for a community wide need; a transfer tax is exclusionary because it would increase the cost of home ownership; a transfer tax would be an unstable source of revenue due to the instability of the real estate market; a transfer tax would subvert the Proposition 2 ½ override process; the state legislature has already given cities and towns many equitable tools to create affordable and workforce housing through passage of Community Preservation Act, Chapter 40B, and Chapter 40R and 40S.

2. An Act Protecting Children from Poisoning. Proposed legislation SB. 1230 would (a) require lead inspections on all sales of property, instead of at the buyer’s option; (b) require owners and sellers of property to abate lead in soil and tap water; and (c) require letters of compliance for rental units to be renewed every two years, regardless of whether children reside in the unit, or whenever there is a change in occupancy, if that is earlier.

3. An Act Providing Information to Real Estate Buyers. Proposed legislation H. 323, S. 201 is a little unclear but seems to suggest that a homeowner would be expected to review the databases of nearly a dozen different governmental agencies and then create some type of report or hire and pay someone to do it for them. It is not clear how many millions of dollars this could cost Massachusetts homeowners every year or that buyers and sellers could review this data and provide an accurate assessment of what implications, if any, information on one of these databases would have on a home.

4. An Act Relative to the Disclosure of Wetlands on Property. Proposed legislation H. 767 seeks to require that a real estate broker disclose to prospective buyers that a property to be sold may be in its entirety, or in part a wetland as defined in Chapter 131 of the General Laws of or any other regulation or local by-law of the municipality where the property is located. It is the Realtor® position that however well intentioned this proposal may be, it would create an impossible standard for real estate licensees to meet and generate confusion for consumers.

5. An Act Relative to Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund (S. 132) and An Act Relative to Financing the Smart Growth Housing Trust (H. 160). Realtors® support both these bills, as it would create a steady stream of revenue to support the continued success of 40R Smart Growth districts.

Route 128 Noise Barriers in Danvers Planned

The Danvers Herald reports that discussions of noise barriers along Route 128 in Danvers, spanning the area between the High Street and Elliot Street exchanges, have progressed to the point of addressing what types of appearances residents prefer, as plans to improve the safety of the highway are set in motion.

The noise barriers are a component of a much bigger venture − the Route 128 Safety Improvement Project, a two-phase plan expected to cost the state a total of $65 million and span approximately five years, with construction likely to begin in 2009. The noise barriers constitute just over $5 million dollars.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Restriction in Andover Could Preserve 50 Acres of Open Space Forever

The Andover Townsman reported that a breathtaking 50 acres of open space between Routes 133 and 28, owned by family of William Wood, the mastermind behind Shawsheen Village, could be preserved in perpetuity.

There is a legally binding proposal between the Wood family and The Trustees of Reservations, a Massachusetts charitable corporation, which must be approved by Andover’s Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen and the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. According to the article, the conservation restriction is expected to help preserve the historic character of Shawsheen Square while also preventing an increase in flooding from the Shawsheen River.

Read the entire Andover Townsman article

Newburyport Looks for $450,000 for Harborwalk

The Newburyport Daily Times reported that Newburyport officials are hoping to get $450,000 from the Seaport Advisory Council to fund the connection of a trail from Cashman Park, underneath Route 1, to the so-called Waterfront West − the area between the Black Cow restaurant and Michael's Harborside. That connection will, in turn, link the commuter rail station to the downtown district.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily Times article

Affordable Housing in North Essex County

According to the Newburyport Daily News, here is breakdown of affordable housing percentages in many of the Northern Essex County communities:

Amesbury 11.1%
Georgetown 13.9%
Groveland 3.5%
Merrimac 6.5%
Newbury 3.6%
Newburyport 8.4%
Rowley 4.4%
Salisbury 8.3%
West Newbury 1.8%

SOURCE: State Department of Housing and Community Development

Chapter 40B Under Attack

The Newburyport Daily News reported that in addition to Topsfield and Hamilton, Salisbury and several other Cape Ann cities and towns are joining in the fight against Chapter 40B, the state’s “anti-snob” zoning law that requires communities to have at least 10% of their housing stock at affordable prices, and allows developers to bypass local building restrictions if the project includes 20-25% affordable units in those communities that don’t meet the threshold.

According to the article, Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington, Selectman Jerry Klima and about 50 other officials from across the state attended a recent seminar organized by the Municipal Coalition for Affordable Housing, whose mission is to put towns and cities in control of how affordable housing is developed in their communities, instead of following the Commonwealth’s Chapter 40B housing law.

Also, separately there is a group called The Coalition for the Repeal of 40B, which is trying to collect about 66,000 signatures to get a repeal proposal on next year’s statewide ballot. Salisbury officials don’t want to go that far. The Coalition for the Repeal of 40B is reportedly about halfway to its goal.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article

Community Preservation Act to be Voted on in Salem Today

The Salem News reports that voters in Salem today will vote on a ballot question for the Community Preservation Act, which, if passed, would add a 1% surcharge to local property taxes to be spent for affordable housing, recreation, historical preservation and open space.

Read the entire Salem News article

Affordable Housing in the North Shore

According to the Salem News, here is a breakdown of affordable housing percentages in many of the North Shore Communities:

Beverly 11.5%
Boxford 0.7%
Danvers 10.4%
Hamilton 3.3%
Ipswich 8.2%
Manchester 4.7%
Marblehead 3.8%
Middleton 4.2%
Peabody 10.4%
Salem 13.2%
Swampscott 3.6%
Topsfield 5.4%
Wenham 8.9%

Read the entire Salem News article

Topsfield, Hamilton to Battle Chapter 40B

The Salem News reports that Selectmen in Topsfield and Hamilton have joined a group called the Municipal Coalition for Affordable Housing, which is asking the State Legislature to make changes in Chapter 40B.

Chapter 40B requires that communities develop 10% of their housing as affordable to people who make 80% or less than the median income locally. In Essex County, the income limits range from $46,300 for a single person to $66,150 for a family of four. If communities fail to meet the 10% threshold, developers can use Chapter 40B to circumvent local zoning regulations, such as lot size, housing density and proximity to wetlands, so long as they make 25% of the units in a development affordable.

According to the article, not one of the smaller towns in the North Shore has reached the 10% goal. In Hamilton, for example, the number is 3.3%; Topsfield is 5.4%. The Coalition aiming to change the law is made up of 31 communities, nearly all of them small and most of them affluent.

Read the entire Salem News Article

Beverly to Spend $630,000 on Town Improvements

According to Salem News, city officials in Beverly plan on spending $630,000 to (1) pave part of Rantoul Street, (2) buy a new street sweeper and two trucks, (3) and improve the look of downtown Beverly.

Read the entire Salem News article