Ipswich to Receive Funds through State PILOT Program

According to the Ipswich Chronicle, the town of Ipswich has won its challenge to the Department of Revenue's valuation of the land it owns in the town. A ruling by the Appellate Tax Board found the state owes Ipswich $60,000 for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Town Manager, Bob Markel, anticipates a struggle to get the state to pay for the earlier years, but he feels the town should at least receive $60,000 for 2009.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article.

First Time Homebuyers Find Help in Ipswich

The Salem News has reported that the Ipswich Planning Board is offering cash incentives for first-time home buyers.

First-time buyers can get up to $10,000 to help with their purchase, provided:

1. They make no more than $46,300 for a single person, $66,150 for a family of four
2. The property is in Ipswich
3. The purchase price is less than $250,000

The money can be applied to a down payment or to reduce the size of the mortgage.

Home buyers will need to act fast. This deal is only available through the end of June 2008.

For more information, click here or call the Ipswich Planning Department at 978-356-6607.

Part of Historic Ipswich News Building to be Demolished

According to the Ipswich Chronicle, the owner of the 16 Market St, Ipswich property which housed the “Ipswich News” has filed a permit to begin demolition of the non-historical portion of the building which was damaged by fire last July. The historical commission previously implemented a demolition delay bylaw while they determined that the front portions both 16 Market Street and the adjoining property at 20 Market Street to be historically significant.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle 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

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

October 24, 2007 Legislative Breakfast

On October 24, 2007, NSAR hosted its third Legislative Breakfast in 2007. The event was attended by State Representative Anthony Verga (D-5th Essex), Representative Brad Hill (R-4th Essex), and Dan Pawson, Legislative Director for Senator Bruce Tarr (R-1st Essex & Middlesex).

MAR Associate Counsel Margy Grant presented the Realtor® position on the following topics:

1. New proposed Transfer Taxes (S. 1776; S. 1773; H. 3959)
2. New proposed Lead Paint law (SB. 1230)
3. New proposed mandatory Seller’s disclosure in connection with environmental issues (H. 323, S. 201)
4. New proposed mandatory disclosures for real estate licensees in connection with Wetlands (H. 767)
5. Smart Growth funding for Chapter 40R (S. 132, H. 160)

NSAR and the Government Affairs Committee extends a sincere appreciate to the legislators who participated and to all those that attended.

Next Legislative Breakfast: Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 8:30am

The next North Shore Association of Realtors® Legislative Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, from 8:30am to 10:00am. All NSAR members who live in Boxford, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, Byfield, and/or Middleton are encouraged to attend.

Topics will likely include:

1. Transfer Taxes.
2. An Act Protecting Children from Poisoning (SB. 1230)
3. An Act Providing Information to Real Estate Buyers. (H. 323, S. 201)
4. An Act Relative to the Disclosure of Wetlands on Property. (H. 767)
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).

Sign up today using this form, by calling 978-232-9410, or by emailing Jeff@NorthShoreRealtors.com!

The Legislative Breakfast will be at the NSAR office at 398 Essex Street in Beverly. For directions, visit our website by clicking here.