Housing Headlines

READING --- Selectmen recently listened to an update from local resident Mike Sullivan, who is applying to the town for a Ch. 40B permit so he can redevelop the St. Agnes School into 20 units, five of which will be affordable.

SALISBURY --- The Institution for Savings donated a 1.8 acre of buildable land on County Road to Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity. The land was once owned by the Goldman family, who owned the Kartland go-cart track. The site is situated next to the new Tidewater Landing apartment complex. Habitat is hoping to build two duplexes on the site.

Writing for WBUR, freelance writer Thomas J. Fitzgerald examines why so many people are leaving Massachusetts given its leadership status in education and innovation. One of the factors he says is the high cost of housing and many of the readers who commented on his story seem to agree.

PROVINCETOWN --- One year after Town Meeting voted down a measure to buy the three-quarter acre Winslow Farm property for $1.75 million, it may get another chance as the town is now proposing a swap, with the town getting the farm and farm owner James Savko getting the community center, which he will develop into seven units of housing.

WALTHAM --- The city’s attempt to block a six-story 195-unit 40B apartment complex proposal was dealt a blow by the state recently, which ruled the city has not yet met the Ch. 40B land threshold. Municipalities can gain greater control over 40B proposals if 10 percent of the housing is affordable or if 1.5 percent of their land is used for affordable housing. According to the state, 7.2 percent of Waltham’s housing is affordable and under 1.5 percent of the land is used for affordable housing. The city had claimed more than 1.5 percent of its land is being used for affordable housing.

TAUNTON --- City councilors will soon here from Braintree-based Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative Inc. about their ideas for turning a former school and its grounds into 40 apartments for seniors, 16 in the existing school and 24 in a new building next to the school.