Housing Headlines

BERLIN --- Developers Matthew and Christopher Senie recently launched a new $60 million mixed-use development, Riverbridge, with construction to begin in the fall. The 470,000 square-foot development will consist of 130,000 square feet for commercial uses, 167,000 square feet for 115 residential units, and 175,000-square-feet for an assisted living and retirement center. More than 84 of the 115 residential units will be designated as affordable for residents earning below 80 percent of the area median income.

SPENCER --- Faced with budget cuts, the Spencer selectmen have voted to authorizie the sharing of a town planner with neighboring Leicester. Spencer will get 15 hours of services from Leicster's experienced planner for $26,000, far less than the $82,000 the town has spent for a full-time planner.

DRACUT --- Noting that no new senior housing has been built in the town in 20 years, two local developers have announced plans to build 60 units --- 15 of which would be affordable --- on a site that has previously been the home of several businesses.

HYANNIS --- Two days after surprising a downtown organization audience with news that his board had voted not to cut back on homeless shelter beds until the need is reduced, the head of the housing agency that runs the 60-bed facility said the shelter has been used as a scapegoat for Hyannis' problems.

SPRINGFIELD - The city's latest auction of tax title properties resulted in the sale of 34 houses, buildings and lots and generated $253,890 in revenue. The salesranged from a house on Commonwealth Avenue that sold for the top price at $67,200, to small lots on Colonial Avenue and Northampton Avenue that sold for $105 each.

WESTPORT --- Town Meeting passed over an article proposing to end the Community Preservation Act tax surcharge and later amended their 2005 inclusionary zoning bylaw to give developers who build more than 10 units the option to give cash or land to the town in lieu of including affordable units in their development.