Housing Headlines

WESTWOOD --- As selectmen plan a special Town Meeting for June, they do so with the risk of facing an court injunction from a group of neighbors to the planned Westwood Station project, a 4.5 million square foot mixed use project. The snag? Whitewood Acres Neighborhood Association and Westwood Station developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes have yet to reach an agreement over the placement of a ramp and road accessing the project from Rte. 128.

WILMINGTON --- The town's zoning board has delayed voting on whether a developer can go forward with his 40B effort. The plans were initially rejected in 2003, but the developer and the town have since reached a compromise that may result in 120 units, helping the town reach its state-mandated goal of 10 percent affordable housing.

FALL RIVER --- The local housing authority has renewed discussions with the state about razing the Watuppa Heights housing project and replacing it with 26 affordable housing units. Housing authority officials are reportedly seeking bids on how to relocate the 80 families that currently live in the housing project.

HOLYOKE --- MassDevelopment has reportedly OK'd $17 million in financing for the development of over 100 units for the elderly. The Geriactric Authority is planning to develop its property at 45 Lower Westfield into a 81-bed skilled nursing home and a 51-unit affordable assisted living complex. The authority has already hired Brian J. Kelleher, a founder and principal in the Aspen Group of North Reading, to serve as project manager.

HINGHAM --- From all angles, Hingham is making progress on affordable housing. With technical assistance from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, the Hingham Housing Partnership recently selected a developer to build 38 affordable units, while the Housing Authority is preparing to issue a Request for Proposals to build another 40 units.

BOXFORD --- Though the town recently rejected a proposal to use CPA funds to build four affordable rental units, voters approved a bylaw authorizing homeowners to create accessory apartments. Some housing advocates criticized Boxford's mixed housing messages, noting that passing the optional bylaw does not guarantee that affordable units will be built.