Housing Headlines

TAUNTON --- City Councilors Tuesday have approved a special permit that will allow a renovation plan for the former Walker School on Berkley Street to become 40 one-bedroom affordable housing apartments for people 62 years or over. The board was voting on a plan proposed by Braintree-based Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative.

STOW --- The state's Supreme Judicial Court has upheld a ruling that blocks a proposed Ch. 40B affordable housing development in Stow over concerns that the design of the development's septic system - while legal - would cause unsafe nitrogen levels in neighboring wells.

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.