Housing Headlines

CHELMSFORD --- After two-and-a-half hours of questions and debate, Town Meeting last week overwhelmingly voted to partially fund a proposed home for eight veterans on a waiting list for affordable housing. The town awarded $400,000 in community preservation funds to build a duplex at 9 Manahan St., off Chelmsford Street, that will be managed by the Chelmsford Housing Authority. The CPA money would be matched by nearly $1 million in state and federal funding to make the project a reality.

MARLBOROUGH --- Developer Bob Moss told city council recently that he was surprised by the negative public reaction to a proposed zoning change that would allow him to build 70 houses on lots as small as 8,000 square feet, thereby preserving at least half of the 88-acre parcel as open space. Current zoning for developments over 50 acres requires that lots be no smaller than 15,000 feet.

NORTHAMPTON --- The plan to allow more housing on the grounds of the former Northampton State Hospital passed a key hurdle recently as the state's Executive Office on Energy and Environmental Affairs ruled that the change will not trigger a new environmental impact report. The increase from 227 to 327 units was approved by the local state hospital citizens advisory last year.

FITCHBURG --- At a recent public discussion on mill reuse, MDP Development of New Hampshire outlined plans to renovate a former 300,000 square foot box factory into 150 apartments and 25,000 square feet of commercial space. The property, which was acquired for $1.2 million, is in a part of the city Mayor Lisa A. Wong has targeted for smart growth development.

WEST SPRINGFIELD --- This city's housing authority is one of seven in the state to receive funds for energy improvements and upgrades. West Springfield is getting $660,730 of the $4.49 million in recovery funds allocated. Also receiving funds were Everett ($2 million); Millbury ($156,030); Nahant ($66,715); Natick ($515,160); Northampton ($492,000); Peabody ($454,075) and Westborough ($88,065).

HOLYOKE --- In an example of how abandoned properties can lead to de-stabilizing neighborhoods, a suspicious fire in a vacant apartment building on South East Street prompted about a dozen nearby residents to evacuate their homes.