July
9
2016
MEDFORD --- Two multifamily proposals totaling over 500 units have exposed Medford's review process as inadequate and illustrates why Medford needs a master plan and other changes to govern development over the next 25 years, argues resident Doug Carr, who is a member of three local civic boards.
July
9
2016
\PROVINCETOWN — Town officials, with support from state Rep. Sarah Peake, want to open talks with the National Park Service about using the former North Truro Air Force Station for housing. U.S. Rep. William Keating, during a recent meeting in town hall, pledged to help but encouraged Provincetown Board of Selectmen chairman Raphael Richter and Selectman Thomas Donegan to come to an agreement with Truro leaders as a starting point.
July
8
2016
BROCKTON --- Following Monday's dismantling of a longstanding rail yard homeless camp for 75-80 people, Brockton officials are continuing to kick homeless people out of new encampments that have sprung up while a nonprofit group is calling for a "housing first" strategy that will provide the homeless with some place to go.
July
8
2016
BOSTON --- Criterion Development has confirmed to have already had six meetings with groups and individuals about plans to turn a parking lot across from the Forest Hills T stop into 260 apartments.
July
8
2016
WEYMOUTH --- In order to help the city qualify for a state grant so it can uncover a section of Smelt Brook, Mayor Robert Hedlund has asked the developer of an adjacent property to increase the size of his housing proposal from 54 to 84 apartments, even though the project has drawn criticism from residents for being too large in the first place.
July
8
2016
BOSTON --- Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow cities like Springfield to revive local ordinances requiring banks to pay to maintain properties that are under foreclosure. "All we're asking for is that the banks or financial institutions have the same responsibility as other landowners," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who supports the bill and called foreclosures "a cancer to our neighborhoods."