Housing Headlines

SOUTHBORO — A petition to selectmen signed by 70 residents seeks the immediate removal of Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Leo Bartolini for "questionable handling" of the Residences at Park Central project.

WORCESTER --- Replacing innovative Ray Mariano as executive director of the Worcester Housing Authority won't be easy but if Alex Corrales' life story is any indication, he'll do just fine. Born in Costa Rica, Corrales attended Worcester schools, Syracuse University and then worked his way up from intern to checking apartments for vandalism to head of the second largest housing authority in the state, with a brief stop at the radio station JAM'N 94.5 along the way.

AMHERST --- A mixed-use project proposed by Beacon Properties of Boston that would have 26 affordable apartments among its 130 units could be the first to seek a special tax assessment from the town. Called North Square at the Mill District, the developers are working with landowner WD Cowles Inc. on a project that would include demolishing the former sawmill to make way for the development.

SALEM --- The North Shore Community Development Corp. is in the midst of a $25 million renovation of 66-run down apartments in eight buildings in Salem's Point Neighborhood.

NEEDHAM --- Frustrated by the town's lack of regulations on the tearing down of homes to build larger ones, the Restore Needham residents group presented the Board of Selectmen with a petition outlining five regulations relating to the height of houses.

BOSTON --- Peregrine Urban Initiative's plans to build 64 units in the Ashmont section of Dorchester illustrates the difficulty developers have in building apartments that middle-income households can afford.