Housing Headlines

NORTON --- Despite the presence of 100 residents from nearby Red Mill Village, the town's Zoning Board of Appeals gave Thorndike Development Corporation the go ahead to continue the Ch. 40B application process for a 230-unit apartment complex that would be built next to Red Mill, a 155-unit town home village for active adults over age 55. Before the ZBA approval, abutters heard details about the new project from Thorndike president Lloyd Geisinger, whose company also developed the 53-acre Red Mill Village.

SWANSEA --- A Newton-based real estate developer will seek a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit from the town so he can build 136 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments. Ken Chase of of Caldar LLC explained to selectmen recently that he would like to build on a 25-acre parcel on the north side of Route 6. The Holiday Inn is east of the complex, and Arrow Gas, 1499 G.A.R. Highway, is a direct abutter.

BILLERICA --- After years of legal battles with abutters and a change in project ownership, a 26-unit Rangeway Road apartment complex called Eva Estates is finally shovel ready. When finsished, the complex will feature22, two-bedroom market-rate apartments and four affordable housing units. Tyngsboro developer Peter Cricones will develop the project after buying the property from the Arakelian family. The project is being built in accordance to town bylaws, and is not considered a Chapter 40B development.

DALTON -- The Dalton Board of Selectmen has voted 3-0 to move forward on turning the old Dalton High School into affordable housing.

ATTLEBORO - The city's housing authority is to get $417,510 from the state's Department of Housing and Community Development to rehab 18 vacant apartments and make them available for a long line of needy people looking for an affordable place to live. The cash is part of $2.2 million approved for 33 housing authorities across the state to fix up 167 empty units. "These additional funds dedicated to turnover costs will provide local housing authorities with new tools and funding to more quickly house seniors and families," said Aaron Gornstein, the agency's undersecretary. Meanwhile, the state is instituting a policy that will require vacancies to be filled within 60 days. Subsidies will be withheld if the apartments are not occupied.

ANDOVER - The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously supported a 224-apartment affordable housing development on Lowell Street yesterday. The proposal calls for134 one-bedroom units, 70 two-bedroom units and 20 three-bedroom units.