Housing Headlines

SUDBURY --- Voters at a special Town Meeting on Dec. 3 unanimously agreed to spend $2.9 million to buy the 35-acre Johnson Farm from developer Robert Moss, whose four-year effort to develop the property has become bogged down in litigation with the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

GREENFIELD ---- Governor-elect Charlie Baker's pledge to put an end to homeless families living in hotels has resonated in Greenfield, where approximately 85 homeless families live in two hotels - a number that has been pretty steady for the past two years, the newspaper reported.

NEWTON --- The developer who pursued a 'friendly' 40B and eventually got the permit from the city to build 36 condominiums now says he is seeking a partner because the seven-month permitting process took longer and was more costly than expected.

EASTON --- Hoping to gain greater control over affordable housing developments, selectmen voted 3-1 to support Avalon Bay's 290-unit Ch. 40B proposal over Dolben Company's 228-unit plan because it would put the town's supply of affordable housing over 10 percent.

WESTON --- Residents voted at special Town Meeting on Dec. 2 voted to spend $2.7 million to create seven units of affordable housing and another $1.2 million to acquire and renovate another property into two units.

WENHAM --- Beverly-based Harborlight Community Partners has proposed a 60-unit elderly affordable housing development on Maple Street in Wenham. To be called Maple Woods, the developers will be asking the town to grant it a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit.