January
4
2024
SALEM --- The Southern Essex Registry of Deeds has acknowledged more than 500 properties in Essex County contain racial covenants that once prohibited people of color and other groups from owning them. John O’Brien, who has retired, issued a register’s notice listing all the restrictive deeds as his “final act” in office. The covenants are unenforceable. Harborlight Homes and North Shore Chapter NAACP brought the restrictive language to O'Brien's attention last year.