Housing Headlines

MILTON --- A Sunday morning meeting between public officials and a developer at town hall may result in the developer scrapping his 40B application to build 72 rental units at the Hendries site and instead seek a special permit to build 38 condominiums and some commercial space. The meeting was reportedly organized by Sen. Brian Joyce and inclued Planning Board Chairman Alex Whiteside, Boad of Selectmen Chairman Tom Hurley, Town Planner William Clark, and Jeremiah and Steve Connelly who are trustee and developer of Carrick Realty Trust.

WAYLAND --- A variety of factors ranging from density to the propriety of senior citizen's living atop a former septic facilility was enough to convince town meeting voters to shoot down a proposal to sell the town-owned site so it could be redeveloped into market rate and affordable senior housing.

FALL RIVER --- The ZBA recently granted a variance allowing 26 additional two-bedroom units to be added to a planned 103-unit senior housing project at the former North East Knitting Mill site. In addition to the 26 units, the project will consist of 81 two-bedroom and 26 one-bedroom units in the first phase of development. At least 80 percent of the units will be occupied by one person age 62 or older. No information was available about the construction start timing.

ACTON --- The Acton Housing Authority (AHA) recently announced the new construction of 12 affordable family units on Sachem Way. The project, McCarthy Village II, will be certified under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes program. Units will be completed and ready for occupancy this summer.

WILLIAMSTOWN -- A panel discussing affordable housing, land use and residents of the Spruces mobile home park who where displaced from Tropical Storm Irene attracted a large audience of residents recently. The debate centers on whether the town should relocate the Spruces residents to a less flood-prone site like the Lowry Property, a former farm that some in town would like to keep as open space.

WORCESTER - The Worcester Housing Authority is implementing a program aimed at helping residents get out of public housing by bumping people up on the waiting list for housing if they agree within their lease to be employed or attend school full time.