Rail Trial Bike Path Discussions

The Tri-Town Transcript reports that Topsfield residents are discussing the construction of a bike path to run through Topsfield and possibly connect Salisbury to Danvers. Topsfield’s local access cable channel wants to feature a debate with representatives from the town’s rail trail committee and a grassroots neighborhood organization, formed in July, which has been critical of the plan. The town’s rail trail committee was formed to oversee the transformation of a 4-mile section of an historic railroad into a rail trail for bikers, walkers, or horseback riders.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article

Plans for Downtown Marketplace in Salem Move Forward

According to the Salem Gazette, a newly revised plan by Somerville developer Resource Capital Group (RCG) aspires to draw locals back into downtown Salem and bring back the lively marketplace atmosphere that used to thrive in Salem. The 4-story, mixed-use building they propose is the result of months of meetings with the mayor and the Marketplace Redevelopment Committee, a group of interested citizens and community stakeholders who provided input for the block that includes Front, New Derby, Washington and Lafayette streets.

RCG owns much of downtown Salem and manages numerous properties including the City Hall Annex on Washington Street, the West Coast Video building on Lafayette Street and the downtown Derby Lofts. The new marketplace building is slated to go the long-vacated and recently-demolished Salem Evening News building on Washington Street.

Read the entire Salem Gazette article

Andover to Decide on Lowell Junction Development of I-93

According to the Andover Townsman, Andover residents will likely have an opportunity at a Town Meeting sometime in 2008 to choose to make the Lowell Junction Development of I-93 a "priority development" for expedited permitting under Chapter 43D.

Such a designation would help attract interest among developers and ensure that local permitting decisions are made within 180 days, according to Planning Director Paul Materazzo. Such a designation could also open the door to technical assistance grants from the state, he said.

Read the entire Andover Townsman article discussing other Town Meeting topics including Anti-flooding plans and a bylaw update affecting the types of businesses that people can run out of their homes

Homes of Deaf Mansion to Become Senior Condos in Danvers

According to the Salem News, the New England Homes for the Deaf will sell its brick landmark Water Street mansion to a local developer, Thomson Companies of Danvers, who plans to construct as many as 14 senior condominiums within the historic building. The building was originally constructed in the 1850’s; developer Gordon Thomson also stated that the P&S included approximately 8 acres of adjacent land for an 8-lot single-family housing subdivision

Read the entire Salem News article

Danvers Planning Board Has Full Schedule

The continuation of a public hearing regarding the proposed Route 114 senior housing complex, called Lebel’s Grove, is just one of the agenda items scheduled for the December 11th meeting of the Danvers Planning Board. Another public hearing will be held for a proposed development at 31 Elliott Street; that developer is looking for site plan review and a special permit to construct 20 single-family homes for the 55 and over community. Rounding out the evening is a 3rd public hearing for a proposed CVS store, to be constructed in Endicott Plaza at 139 Endicott Street. The meeting will be held at 7 pm in the Daniel J. Toomey Hearing Room at Town Hall.

Pictures Don’t Tell the Whole Story in Danvers

According to the Danvers Herald, a four-page full color mailing and neighborhood meetings did not smooth the path for the developer of Lebel’s Grove at the November 27th zoning change public hearing. The 291-unit senior housing complex drew an opposition crowd of about 50 to the Danvers Senior Center, where both citizens and Planning Board members questioned the impact of the Route 114 development and the related zoning amendment proposed by Attorney Nancy McCann. That amendment would create a new zone, Residential IIIB, allowing 6 multi-family units per acre. Comments centered on traffic, water shortages, density and possible impact on school population. The meeting, which was being taped for absent-due-to-illness Planning Board Member Ron Baser, adjourned without conclusion when the video tape ran out. The hearing will resume as part of the regular Planning Board agenda on Tuesday, December 11th.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Hamilton/Wenham Meeting to Discuss Transfer Taxes

The Government Affairs Committee just learned that there will be a meeting tonight, Tuesday, December 11th at 7:30 p.m, at the Buker Multipurpose Room, where Hamilton and Wenham Boards of Selectmen and representatives from the Finance Committees for each town will meet with community members to discuss, amongst other items, a new potential real estate transfer tax.

Realtors® oppose real estate transfer taxes as bad tax policy for the following reasons:

1. A community wide responsibility should be paid for by the entire community. Property taxes are inequitable and discriminatory as it would single out a small segment of the population, specifically home buyers and sellers, to pay for a community wide need.
2. Transfer taxes are exclusionary because it would increase the cost of home ownership and in effect create an additional barrier to entry for an already expensive part of the state. Further, the real estate market is highly sensitive to economic downtowns; therefore this tax would provide an unstable source of revenue.
3. The tax would subvert the voter approval process inherent in a Proposition 2½ override, in which voters can decide for themselves whether to increase their own property taxes.
4. The Legislature has already given all cities and towns many equitable tools to create affordable and workforce housing through passage of the Community Preservation Act, Chapter 40R, Chapter 40S and Chapter 40B. These tools are available for all communities to use.

You can find other Realtor® talking points from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors® website by clicking here.

NSAR highly encourages all Realtors® who live or work in Hamilton and Wenham to attend this meeting and voice your opposition to real estate transfer taxes.

Beverly Housing Coalition Staff Added for New Projects

According to the Beverly Citizen, the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition has added a new program manager to help the organization take on its two largest projects yet — a new building of 43, single-room-occupancy units at the Mayflower Motel property on Cabot Street and several new below-market-rate apartments buildings in the Gloucester Crossing neighborhood.

The new staff, David Bresnahan, was working in New Orleans as director of special projects for a homeless housing collaborative that involved over 60 different agencies at the time Hurricane Katrina struck. Bresnahan’s addition doubled the size of the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition; he is a graduate of the London School of Economic and Political Science with a degree in social policy and administration.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article

Plans to Rebuild Danversport Marina Put on Hold

The Danvers Herald reported that a recent Liberty Marine plan to build a 41-foot building to replace two destroyed in the Danversport explosion last year, was put on hold due to demands for multiple fire lanes imposed by neighbors and the town.

The marina sits on one of the prettiest pieces of waterfront property, along the Waters River, which is deep and doesn’t suffer the silting and dredging problems of the other three rivers in town — the Danvers, Porter and Crane rivers.

The owner of the marina, Jim Cheever, testified at the September 10th Zoning Board of Appeals hearing that for the past 15 years, he and his wife have been good neighbors, serving 250 or more boaters each year in a safe manner and that there is and has been a 30-foot buffer zone between the marina and the Bates Street back yards.

The couple won ZBA approval for the new building to replace a former 39-foot 6-inch storage/office building destroyed in the explosion. The new building would have 12,600 square feet, slightly less than the former building. Its higher peak allowed for a fire sprinkler system, which the former building did not have. There were no plans to replace the second building immediately.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Ipswich Sign Bylaws Examined

The Ipswich Chronicle reports that members of an Ipswich ad-hoc Sign Bylaw Revision Committee met with Director of Planning, Glenn Gibbs, to to discuss concerns regarding regulations applying to signs on private property that are placed for public viewing. One purpose of the existing bylaw is to limit the clutter of uncontrolled signage.

"Much of it is in the business community, but not entirely," Gibbs said, explaining which areas of town would be addressed. The most common concern is that regulations are not as flexible as they could be, are too restrictive and are not as easy to understand as they could be, he said. Alternatively, Gibbs said, he has also heard concern that the regulations are not restrictive enough "I do think the bylaw is a little confusing as it's set up here," he said, and added there are a number of improvements that could be made.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article

Middleton Officials Deciding on Developing Land

According to the Tri-Town Transcript, Middleton Selectman are looking into to developing recently acquired land near the intersection of East Street and Peabody Street, which used to be home to the Rubchinuk landfill. The land is currently being used as a soccer field. Once environmental permitting is complete, Middleton will receive a sum of money from the state for management of the site, part of which may be used to develop another soccer field as well as a baseball field on sections of the 32-acre land. The capped area of the landfill will not be developed on, according to Town Administrator Ira Singer.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article

Danvers Tax Rate Increases for Residents

The Danvers Herald reported that residential tax rates will increase from 10.19 to 10.42%. According to a report by Chief Assessor Marlene Locke, average single-family homes have decreased in value by 6.5%, so individual’s property taxes should not change significantly.

Business rates will decrease from 1.42 to 1.36% and the commercial tax rate decreased from 16.74 to 16.03%. Unlike residential property values, commercial property values remained the same this year, said Locke.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Andover Residents Oppose 88-unit Affordable Housing Development

According to the Andover Townsman, Andover residents are contesting an 88-unit affordable-housing development proposal. The proposed development, known as Northfield Commons, would include 22 affordable units priced between $142,300 and $157,500, according to a Zoning Board of Appeals application filed by the Groton-based, 69 North St. LLC. It would be built in the northwest part of town, near the intersections of North and Webster streets.

With a little more than 345 feet of frontage on North and Webster streets, the Northfield Commons proposal would consist of a mix of single-family, duplex, triplex and garden-style units along with a village green area, open space and walking trails spread out over 14.2 acres, according to the zoning board application. Because Andover’s affordable housing stock is currently under 10% of the state guidelines − at 8.9% with 1,027 units − this proposal could be considered under Chapter 40B, which allows developers to circumvent local zoning rules to encourage development of affordable housing. Market-rate units at Northfield Commons would range from $325,000 to $600,000, according to the zoning board application.

The application for Northfield Commons will go before the town zoning board for the 3rd time on Dec. 6, 2007.

Read the entire Andover Townsman article

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