North Shore Association of REALTORS® GA Blog

Historic Beverly Home to be Demolished

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The Beverly Citizen recently reported that even after much opposition from locals and Beverly board members, a home that was built in the early 1700’s will be knocked down by the owner and replaced with a Walgreens pharmacy.

The property, located at 48 Dodge Street, is commonly referred to as the Wood-Greenwood House and is considered historically significant by many city board members and the Beverly Historical Society.

“One by one these [historical] houses are being torn down, and it’s taking away the historical value of Beverly. The house is significant and it should be preserved.” said Dan Lohnes, president of the Beverly Historical Society.

Owners of the home, Westward Apple Orchards Limited Partnership, has stated that the space is “functionally obsolete”, and that the property, which is already has commercial zoning, must be redeveloped.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

Haverhill Looks to Develop Forgotten End of Downtown

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune recently reported that the Haverhill Mayor and city leaders are looking towards developing the Merrimack Street side of downtown Haverhill in 2012. City officials are working to develop new rules that would make it faster and easier to develop in existing buildings on the Merrimack Street side of downtown.

The western end of the downtown on Washington Street has been one of Haverhill’s larger successes over the past five years, with several restaurants, shops and apartments sprouting up recently. Now the city hopes to turn the same attention towards the somewhat forgotten end of the downtown as well as an area across the river in Bradford.

The city’s zoning task force is working on making it easier for developers to create mix-use projects with both office space and housing. Current rules allow such projects, but it is difficult and uncertain to obtain the permit required by the city council to move forward.

"The more developers know what they can do up front, the more likely they are to invest in Merrimack Street and the riverfront," said Mayor James Fiorentini. "We could allow mixed use as a matter of right."

Some changes the mayor is considering include easing parking regulations and allowing developers to build more housing on less land.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Hamilton Resident Gives Property to Town as Gift

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle recently reported that Hamilton has been offered a 27.22-acre parcel of land as a gift from resident Joanne Patton. The town is in the works of figuring out what to do with the land if they should accept the parcel at 650 Ashbury Street.

The property is valued at $1.9 million, which includes a historic house and most of the surrounding land with a river access point, and would most likely be used as public playing fields and recreational space.

The historic house on location may be used as a museum by Gordon College, with Lombardo scheduled to meet with the college to discuss long term rental options. The town is considering conducting a traffic study to see the impact of public use of the land.

The gift proposal was recently presented to the town in a commitment letter. Hamilton Town Manager Michael Lombardo had worked with Patton for “several months” to put the proposal together. To accept the gift, Hamilton would need to receive selectmen approval on a gift agreement and also a positive Town Meeting vote.

Read the entire Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle article.

Route 95 Bridge Being Replaced – Effect on Bike Trail

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The Newburyport Current recently reported that the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge on Route 95, spanning the Merrimack River from Amesbury and Newburyport, is set to be replaced in a state project aimed to stat in the spring of 2013. The project is one of the state highway department of transportation’s largest under the $3 billion Accelerated Bride Program.

The 60-year old bridge will be replaced with a four-lane highway with a shared-use path for bikers and walkers called the Whittier Trail. The four-lane bridge should speed up traffic on the sometimes congested I-95 area, as well as promote alternative modes of transportation with the Whittier Trail.

Local members of the Coastal Trails Coalition have raised concern that the new trail over the span will poorly affect the current trail system that runs through Amesbury, Newburyport, Newbury and Salisbury. Although the state is placing a trail system over the new bridge, it fails to continue the bike paths in the other areas it plans to widen the highway.

The trail coalition will likely discuss the trail issues at a state design public hearing set for the spring of 2012.

Read the Newburyport Current article.

Haverhill Paperboard Site Purchased by Developer

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune recently reported that the Haverhill Paperboard Site, 23 acres located along the Merrimack River on the Bradford side, has been purchased by the Barrow Development Group which plans to change the sites name to Pentucket Park.

The lot located on South Kimball Street was home to Haverhill Paperboard, a factory that manufactured paperboard from recycled paper for over 100 years at the location. The factory closed in 2008 and nearly 200 workers lost their jobs.

The developer has not yet decided what to do with the property which could be used to commercial, residential or recreational space. City Mayor James Fiorentini believe that the developer will work well with the city and hopes that Haverhill residents will have access to the river through the site.

In a statement to the Eagle Tribune, Brian Wilson, who heads the development group, stated that the project “will focus on repositioning the existing, functionally obsolete site to achieve the highest and best use for the property,” and that the group is “committed to transforming the project into a performing asset that contributes to the already-thriving downtown district of Haverhill."

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Peabody Recieves Brownfield Grant to Develop New Park

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Salem News recently reported that the city of Peabody received $497,000 from MassDevelopment to convert a polluted site in the downtown area into a park. The funds will be used to clean up the area by removing contaminated soil and capping the site with clean fill.

To fund the $1.5 million project, Peabody has received $549,000 from the state, $240,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency, and has put forward $265,000 from the city’s community preservation fund. The city first bought the land, that was one a leather tannery, in 2009 for $115,000.

City officials expect that roughly $800,000 will go towards design, permitting and construction, while the rest will be used for the cleanup. The park project is part of a bigger plan in which the city is attempting to “reimagine” the entire downtown and make it a more sought-after area. The city is already going forward with an $18 million project that will redirect flood waters away from downtown as well as a $1.5 million redesign of Main Street.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Boxford Library Deemed Incompatible with the Area

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Tri-town Transcript recently reported that the Boxford Historic Districts Commission turned down, in a 3-2 vote, the certificate of appropriateness for the new library project propped for the historic Boxford area.

The board members that turned the plan down stated that the 18,000 square foot building was too large for the area, and that the design of the building was “incompatible” with the surrounding historic neighborhood.

Read the entire Tri-town Transcript article.

New Salem Downtown Renewal Plan Put in Place

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Salem Gazette recently reported that the Salem City Council voted for a new Downtown Renewal Plan, replacing the Downtown Heritage East and West Urban Renewal Plans that had been in place previously.

The new plan will guide downtown development for the next 30 years. Guidelines in the plan include standards for construction, storefronts, signage, parking, and anything else area business would be concerned about when moving to the city. The prior plan, which had been in place for over 40 years, was said to be out of date with its building guidelines and regulations. The new plan also incorporated some new land that the past plan did not.

“The plan is one that will take the city from the twentieth century into the twenty-first,” said ward 2 councilor Michael Sowsnoski, the representative of the largest area of the downtown.

The Cecil Group was hired by the city for $50,000 to codify the plans and to make sure that new design standards are in place.

“The firm is well versed in the laws both local and state that can be used to set the guidelines the members of the Salem Redevelopment authority use to help maintain the historic character of Salem, while at the same time encouraging growth and investment in the downtown,” said Sosnowski.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Newburyport Waterfront Development Plans

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Newburyport Daily News recently reported that plans to further develop the Newburyport waterfront are picking up speed with the Newburyport Water Trust meeting with other waterfront-impacting agencies to smooth over communication about development of the waterfront area.

The Newburyport Redevelopment Authority, which owns a 4.2 –acre lot located between the firehouse and the waterfront, recently partnered with MassDevelopment to generate some commercial developments on the land. The Newburyport Redevelopment Authority has managed the property for over 20 years and the board is now aggressively seeking commercial development with their new partnership. MassDevelpoment is advancing $50,000 for planning studies on the land so it seems thy are determined to find a project.

The Newburyport Redevelopment Authority is one five agencies and/or associations that have some authority on waterfront land in the area, including, the Custom House Maritime Museum, the Firehouse Center for the Performing Arts, the Harbor Commission, the NRA and the trust.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article.

Ipswich Wind Turbine II Plans Moving Along

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Ipswich Chronicle recently reported that plans for the area’s second wind turbine, Wind Turbine II, are getting close to becoming finalized. There are four major steps before the turbine can be built.

The builder, D&C Construction must first get special permits from the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen, make an agreement on the price of the electricity generated by the turbine, reach a lease agreement with the Selectmen for the town-owned property at 180 Town Farm Road, and finally purchase a turbine by Jan 1st in order to get a government grant.

The Board of Selectmen seems to be moving the process along quickly and completing the four steps before the January 1st deadline appears very doable. D&C Construction has proposed an electricity sale price of 9.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than the 10.3 cents charged by Turbine 1.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article.

Gloucester Company Investing in Waterfront; Receives Tax Break

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

A Gloucester Times editorial discussed that the city of Gloucester will be extending an $18,672 tax increment financing agreement to local fish processor company, Gorton’s. Gorton is planning to make a $13 million investment in the Gloucester waterfront, and the Gloucester will be granting the company a tax break, which is compiled over five years starting in 2014.

Groton’s has been in Gloucester since 1849 and shows no signs of moving elsewhere after investing in a new expansion to their production line recently. The $13 million project is projected to bring roughly 30 new jobs to the area and the project will not take up any more of the waterfront that the building currently does. The Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals already approved the 6-foot exemption to the height restrictions that the project needed to go forward on developing the I-4, C-2 site project.

Read the entire Gloucester Times editorial.

Haverhill Looks to Planning Professionals for Downtown Ideas

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune recently reported that a group of urban planners, including architects and engineers, walked the streets of downtown Haverhill looking for ways to improve the Merrimack Street end of downtown, as well some areas on the Bradford side of the Merrimack River.

The Urban Land Institute, a non-profit research and education organization, agreed to work with Haverhill in developing a plan for the downtown area. About 20 planning professionals met in Haverhill to view the areas of interest and attend an all day seminar for discussion. The group will be sending Haverhill a 25-30 page report giving design ideas, plans, and “alternative ideas.”

"Haverhill has a downtown with a lot of potential," said Barry Abramson, and expert in urban re-development and a member of the group. "In a lot of downtowns in New England, you have to build from scratch. Here, you already have so much vitality on the Washington Street side, there's real potential to extend that. And if you could access this river to a more meaningful way, you'd really have something here."

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

MA State Government Adds Tax Credits for Low-Income Housing

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Gloucester Times recently reported that the state will be doubling its funding for low-income housing development next year through tax credits. The state will now be contributing more funds to that state than the federal government does.

The federal government contributes $14.2 million in tax credits to Massachusetts, opposed to $10 million that the state has provided. Starting next year the state is increasing their tax credits up to $20 million until June 30, 2014.

With the additional state tax credits it is expected that another 25 low-income projects, or roughly 1,200 units, will be developed that may not have been in the past. This translates into over 1,200 jobs in the Bay State.

Read the entire Gloucester Times article.

Haverhill Mayor Looks to Buy Land For Rail Trail Parking

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune recently reported that the Mayor of Haverhill, James Fiorentini, is interested in purchasing a 30,000-square foot parcel of land for the city to pave a parking lot and create a main entrance to the Bradford Rail Trail.

The Bradford Rail Trail follows the Merrimack River for roughly a half mile on the Bradford side of the river. The trail was built on land that was purchased from the Pan Am Railways by Haverhill in 2008 for $500,000. The land of interest is also owned by Pan Am Railways. Although the city of Haverhill does have some grant money to improve the rail trail, it is unclear if that money can go towards the purchasing of new land for the parking lot.

"The land would provide greater access and parking areas for users of the rail trail, which continues to grow in popularity," Fiorentini said of the new piece of land. "The neighbors of the rail trail, whose success is so critical to the project, have expressed a desire for the city to obtain additional off-street parking for the users of the trail."

The Mayor told the Haverhill city council that a decision should be made quickly, as it is believed that Pan Am Railways will look for other buyers in the near future. The price of the land is set at $65,000 and is said to be non-negotiable.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Downtown Peabody Flooding Fix Could Save Businesses Millions

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Salem News recently reported a consulting firm was hired to study the impact of flooding in downtown Peabody, and that after seeing the firm’s findings the city is considering going forward with a $21 million “flood mitigation” project to divert water away from the downtown.

RGK Associates Inc. interviews dozens of downtown Peabody business owners in their study. After completing their interviews they determined that as much as $8 million would be saved over the next 20 years by local businesses if the flooding problem was fixed. During the most recent flooding in October, RGK estimated that over $700,000 was spent by area businesses in repairs.

The city’s plan, if they choose to go forward, is to build a large culvert that would go underneath the downtown and release water into the North River. Once the problem was fixed the city believes that a bump in property values as well as new business development in the area would turn profitable in the long run.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Haverhill YMCA Opens Day Care in Historic Building

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune recently reported that the old Whittier Building next to the YMCA on Winter Street has been purchased by the YMCA, and will be turned into a preschool for children aged 2-6. The building was most recently used as the headquarters for the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce.

YMCA Director Tracy Fuller signed a long-term lease for the Whittier Building with Historic Haverhill Inc., the owners of the building.

The children’s center and day care service is now serving between 40 and 50 children in the downtown location, where before they had been at a Groveland facility. The YMCA has fully renovated the first floor of the building, and hopes to raise enough money to renovate that second floor as well.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Two Beverly Apartment Complexes Set to Open in 2012

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Beverly Citizen recently reported that two new housing projects in Beverly are ahead of schedule and set to be completed in the spring and summer of 2012. Windover Construction is the developer for both projects.

The Holcroft Park Homes, located on Mill and Grant streets, will contain 58 units including two and three-bedroom apartments. The North Shore CDC and the YMCA of the North Shore partnered up to build the affordable housing project. Apartments will be available to renters that earn 60 percent or less than the median area income. Some units will be held for tenants making 30 percent or less of the median area income.

The YMCA is currently accepting applications for the apartments. To apply, visit northshoreymca.org and click on “housing.”

The second development known as the Burnham Apartments will consist of 38 one-bedroom apartments located on Rantoul Street, the lot that the Kelly Infiniti car dealership stood several months ago. The four story complex is expected to be finished by August 2012.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

Haverhill Parking Garage Opens in Busy Downtown Area

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

After over a year of construction the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority parking garage in Haverhill was finally completed and opened for business in early November, reported the Eagle Tribune, November 2, 2011.

The $11 million project adds 315 parking spaces in one of Haverhill’s busiest downtown areas. Majority of the funds for the project came from federal transportation money.

"This is a great day for our city, a transformative day that caps many years of hard work and effort by so many people," said Mayor James Fiorentini while leading the opening ceremonies.

The City of Haverhill and local business owners are excited to see the impact of the new parking garage. The new spaces are expected to attract more commuters and visitors to the busy downtown area.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Tri-Town Region Districts Redrawn

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Tri-Town region recently went under redistricting and several regions in Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield will be represented by new state representatives, reported the Tri-Town Transcript. The redrawing of districts can take place every ten years.

Some of the major changes include:

Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, has lost Middleton and Boxford and now represents Topsfield and parts of Rowley.
Rep. Jim Lyons, Jr., who represents Boxford’s Precinct Two, will now represent Precinct One in Boxford as part of the 18th Essex District. Rep.
Harriett Stanley’s 2nd Essex District will now include Precincts 2 and 3 in Boxford Rep.
Ted Speliotis now represents the second precinct in Middleton of the 13th Essex District, consisting of the area north of Rte. 114.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

Boxford Zoning Board Debates Library Proposal

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that the Boxford town library proposal was turned down by the town Zoning Board Association, with one of the three board members voting against the project. A unanimous vote was needed to pass the proposal.

The vote against the proposed library project came after months of planning, redesigns, and negotiations between the town and the hired architect group and community. The main reason the project received a “no” vote was the size of the library and the impact it would have one the surrounding community. The proposed building was said to be too large for the area, which is located in a small village setting, and would “ruin the historic character of the village.”

Boxford will need to return $800,000 in grants that were awarded for the project, of those funds $360,000 has already been spent.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

Backyard Chickens a Concern in Ipswich

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Ipswich Chronicle recently reported that an increase in raising chickens in backyards is cause for concern to some Ipswich residents. Those raising the chickens have complained of the high price of a filing fee, while surrounding residents complain of smell and health safety.

The Town of Ipswich requires residents to purchase a permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals to keep farm animals on property of less than one acre. The number of complaints dealing with chickens has risen to become a significant problem and now local officials are being pushed to find a solution.

“I’ve dealt with more complaints and issues involving people keeping chickens in the last year than in the previous 15 years before that,” said James Sperber, the zoning officer. “I’m worried all of our time will be consumed dealing with chickens.”

One resident has been raising chickens in her backyard for their eggs and also noted the benefit of their insect eating, as well as their fertilizer. Her neighbors have complained about the smell and noise the chickens make early in the morning. The owner hopes to talk to the Board of Selectmen to see if the charges of the license can be dropped.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle.

Newburyport Seek Help for Repairing Jetties

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Amesbury News reports that according to state and local officials the two jetties in Salisbury and Newburyport are rapidly worsening and becoming compromised, reported the Newburyport Current. Officials say the jetties must be repaired in the near future.

Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday and a group of officials recently went to Washington D.C. to convince the Army Corps of Engineers to take on the job. The last time the jetties were repaired was in 1970, when a $1.5 million federal job poured 70,000 tons of stone onto the jetties.

The two jetties span roughly 5,500 feet at the mouth of the Merrimack River and protect against beach erosion, make the river more navigable, and provide public safety.

Plum Island has felt the worst of the compromised jetties affects, with its beaches eroding at the rate of 13 feet per year from 2000 to 2007, rather than at the typical pace of 1-2 feet per year.

Read the entire Amesbury News article.

Amesbury Group Enters Contest for $15,000 Playground Grant

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Newburyport Daily News recently reported that a group raising money for a new playground at Amesbury Town Park has entered a contest to win a grant for $15,000 that will go towards renovating the playground.

The Amesbury Improvement Association is one of 10 entrees that could win the grant from the Let’s Play Playground, a group led by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM non-profit group. Voting for the project can be done on Facebook at facebook.com/kaboom. Voting ends November 11.

The Amesbury Improvement Association hopes to raise $180,000 to complete the park renovations. The site address is http://www.facebook.com/AmesburyPRC#!/LetsPlay?sk=app_276826415679968

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article.

City of Salem Looks for Land Development Proposals

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Salem News recently reported that the city of Salem is in search of proposals for a 2-acre lot after plans for a development on the property fell through earlier this year.

Plans for the Szetela Lane property fell through three months ago after several years of planning. Developer Phil Singleton planned to purchase the property from the city for $862,000 but ran into issues along the way including financing troubles during the tough economy as well as a site cleanup required.

The property, which was once a tannery site, needs to be capped with new soil before any development can begin.

A “pre-bid conference” will be held on November 17 at 2:00 p.m. at 120 Washington Street, the City Hall annex. Proposal documents can be picked up at the same location. All proposals are due December 14.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Disaster Loans following 10/04/11 floods

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Salem News reports that a disaster loan center opened in Salem yesterday to help local victims of the Oct. 4 floods.

The Small Business Administration, which issued a disaster declaration for Essex County, is providing low-interest loans to North Shore residents and businesses who qualify. It is issuing home, business and economic injury disaster loans.

The SBA Disaster Loan Center is in a third-floor conference room at 120 Washington St., the City Hall annex. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The center will remain open through Saturday, Oct. 29. There is public parking in the Church Street lot and in the Museum Place and South Harbor garages.

Mass Audubon Looks to Protect Marsh Lands in Rowley

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that the Mass Audubon is attempting to protect 75 acres of salt marsh and costal forest in the Town of Rowley. The Audubon is looking to raise $3 million through the Great Marsh Conservation Initiative, now asking community members to donate as much as $50,000.

Salt marshes are one of the most endangered habitats and protection of the areas has the attention of both local and federal groups. The land in question, located between Route 1A and Plum Island Sound, is part of the 20,000-acre Great Marsh.

If the area remains unprotected more than a dozen houses could be built if the property if foreclosed upon, which is the current worry.

“From species diversity to aesthetics to its ability to buffer the effects of climate change, the Great Marsh is one of the richest landscapes in this region,” said Mass Audubon President Laura Johnson. “We must take advantage of the opportunity to protect this property now to prevent further fragmentation of the largest intact salt marsh north of Chesapeake Bay.”

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

Salem Ferry Switches to Three-day Schedule

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Salem Gazette recently reported that the Salem Ferry will run three days a week for the rest of 2011. The ferry will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Columbus Day and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Halloween.

Since Boston’s Best Cruise began running the ferry in 2006, the ferry had operated seven days a week from Memorial Day through Halloween. Bill Walker, a principal of Boston’s Best Cruises, stated that low ridership during the season and higher fuel costs led the company to the decision.

“The ferry’s ridership has more than doubled since resuming service in 2006. It serves as both a way to get visitors to Salem, as well as an attractive alternative for getting to Boston for locals and visitors who are already in Salem,” said Salem’s Mayor Kim Driscoll. “It’s unfortunate that for the remainder of this season the ferry will not be available as a commuter option. Moving forward next year though, it is important to me to preserve the ferry as an alternative for those who work in Boston but realize too that the numbers need to work.”

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

West Newbury Votes on Projects for Community Preservation Act Funds

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Newburyport Daily News recently reported that the West Newbury Community Preservation Committee recently gave a list to the Finance Committee that recommended five projects for funding through the Community Preservation Act. If approved by the finance committee a vote will take place at a special Town Meeting next month.

The proposed projects would use $607,820, and commit another $900,090 of the current $1.79 million CPA balance. Within the CPA budget, $209,246 targeted for open space; $108,199.20, historic resources; $199,646.00, community housing; and $1,282,204.06, for unrestricted amounts

In a September 14 meeting, the CPC rejected a proposal, with a 3 to 4 vote, for $1.3 million to cover 11 improvements at the Dr. John C. Page Elementary School.

Three projects that were recommended to the Finance Committee include $200,000 to cover the first phase of an $825,000 restoration project for St. John's Hall and church rectory at 928 Main St., $163,000 for new roofing and improvements to the heating and cooling systems at the GAR Memorial Library, and also $1.1 million for the Park and Recreation Department to purchase a 22-acre property and another $100,000 to create an access road and small parking lot for the area.

Approval for these projects will require a majority vote.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article.

Massachusetts Program Encourages Land Donations

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Tri-Town Transcript recently reported that Massachusetts Energy and Environment Affairs (EEA) will begin a tax credit program that will encourage landowners to donate conservation land in order to boost Governor Patrick’s land conservation agenda.

The Massachusetts Conservation Land Tax Credit Program will offer state income tax credits in exchange to land donations. Donated land must be appraised at $100,000 or more in order to receive a state income tax credit of $50,000. Total funding for the program is capped at $2 million.

“With more than 85,000 acres protected since the governor took office, we have made outstanding progress and we anticipate continuing that trend through this new program that rewards the generosity of private landowners across the state,” said EEA Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

The EEA will be accepting applications until October 3, and will hold a random drawing to decide the order applications will be reviewed.

For more information and guidelines for donating land see the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

Amesbury Lakes Commission Seeks New Members

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT

The Amesbury News recently reported that the Amesbury Lakes and Waterways Commission is looking to recruit new members. The commission is looking to have at least one representative per body of water in Amesbury.

Members should all have “an interest in preserving and improving management of local resources.” Commission members tend to live nearby waterways they represent, or have some sort of personal connection to the waterway.

For information, contact Bruce Georgian, chairman of Lakes and Waterways Commission at BMGeorgian@Hotmail.com, or visit amesburyma.gov/lakesandwaterways.

Read the entire Amesbury News article.