North Shore Association of REALTORS® GA Blog

Peabody spends $775K to keep Lynnfield Street lot as Open Space

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Peabody/Lynnfield Weekly News reports that the Peabody City Council approved the purchase of 3.9 acres of land at 182 Lynnfield Street with funding through the Community Preservation Act.

The move cost $775,000; Peabody plans to use the land for passive recreation, such as walking and picnicking, informal sporting games and perhaps community gardens. Most of the site is open grasslands ~ one corner is a wetland resource area.

Peabody was one of the first communities to opt into the CPA program, which creates a fund to preserve open space, restore historic sites and create affordable housing. In 2001, voters approved a 1% surcharge on property taxes to feed the fund, which up until 2008, was matched dollar for dollar by the state (mainly through fees on real estate transactions).

Read the entire Peabody/Lynnfield Weekly News article.

Lynn Receives $300,000 to Rehab Foreclosed Homes

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to The Daily Item, the City of Lynn will receive an additional $300,000 in federal funds to funds to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties and fill them with renters or home owners. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Funded through the Housing Economic Recovery Act, the initiative is part of $43.4 million that was initially awarded to Massachusetts in 2009. The plan is implemented in Massachusetts by the state Department of Housing and Community Development and funds can be used by municipalities, and by for-profit and non-profit developers to purchase abandoned, vacant, or foreclosed properties at a discount and to rehabilitate or redevelop them in order to respond to rising foreclosures and falling home values.

According to state Senator Thomas McGee, “this funding will be used to rehabilitate certain foreclosed properties which will in turn help stabilize neighborhoods across Lynn.” Lynn received $700,000 in funding last year.

Read the entire The Daily Item article.

Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Awarded “Green” Grant

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Amesbury News report that Amesbury’s Cider Hill Farm received a $30,000 energy efficient grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture to install a new photovoltaic (PV) system, which uses solar panels made of silicon to convert sunlight into electricity. The farm currently has a 10kw PV system that consists of 56 solar panels –– the new system will be 25.6kw which will have 128 panels. These two systems will be in addition to the three wind turbines churning out energy (two shown above).

Cider Hill Farm has also received grants to make their greenhouses more energy efficient using a special film and also to turn its greenhouses into high tunnel greenhouses which sit on the soil and do not use any heat. The farm is also looking into micro hydro-energy (energy from moving water) and geothermal heat (using the heat of the earth).\

Read the entire Amesbury News article.

Topsfield Rail Trail

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to the Tri-Town Transcript, Topsfield selectmen may have struck a deal that will lead to the a new rail trail on the abandoned section of railroad tracks that run from Summer Street to the Wenham town line. Nevada-based non-profit Iron Horse Preservation Society has offered to remove all the track and ties from nearly two miles of abandoned railroad at no cost to the town.

Iron Horse is a group that extracts railroad infrastructure across the country and sells the metal for barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. In return, the Topsfield Rail Trail may receive a trail suitable for biking without any of the cost or effort.

Recently the Rail Trail Committee finished Phase 1 of the Rail Trail, a roughly half-mile section of roadway that runs from Washington Street to Summer Street.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

South River Harborwalk in Salem, MA

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Salem Gazette reports that the South River Harborwalk in Salem, MA will be unveiled this June. The harborwalk has been in the works for at least a decade and is part of a larger effort to revitalize Salem’s waterfront. Since Mayor Kim Driscoll took office a few years ago, there’s been an additional push to move the project forward, aided by a $420,000 grant promised to the city in 2008 by the Seaport Advisory Council.

Last fall, workers began constructing the 1,100-foot harborwalk along the South River, by the Congress Street Bridge and Peabody and Lafayette streets. Officials expect the work will be done in the spring, around the same time as the abutting Peabody Street Park is finished.

The entrance of the walk will be at a small plaza on New Derby Street, near Beverly Cooperative Bank, where visitors can sit on benches. There will be flagpoles with “marine imagery” aimed at creating a higher point to establish a “visual connection to the downtown.” according to planning department director Lynn Duncan.

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

Georgetown Housing Authority Tenants Organizing

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Georgetown Record reports that a new organization – the Georgetown Tenants Association at Trestle Way (featured above) – has been organized and will be hoping to seek assistance and certification from the Massachusetts Public Housing Tenants Union and the Department of Housing and Community Development, in order to work with the Georgetown Housing Authority to have better organized, more effective meetings and procedures.

Read the entire Georgetown Record article.

Developing St. Joseph Church in Salem, MA

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

A controversy is festering on the potential development of St. Joseph Church, located on Lafayette Street in Salem, MA. According to the Salem Gazette, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, which is the real estate arm of the Boston Archdiocese, plans to build about 65 units of affordable housing, including approximately 20 units for the elderly in the former St. Joseph’s School and about 45 more units in a new building, which would also have a retail use on the lower floor.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has stated that the “developers should be made aware of the historic significance of the structures [on the property] and the possible federal and state tax credit incentives to rehabilitate them appropriately…”

There are two obstacles facing development of St. Joseph Church: (1) ultimate approval from the MHC and (2) a legal battle currently in the Massachusetts Appeals Court brought by a group of local residents alleging the city used “spot zoning” to advance the project.

The developer is hoping to resolve these issues and break ground by late 2010.

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

Newburyport Mayor Hosts Public Forum

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to the Newburyport Current, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday will host a public forum Saturday, March 6th, from 9am-12pm, in the auditorium at Newburyport High School. Holaday, members of her transition team, department heads and Newburyport city councilors will present results and findings on various initiatives planned for the city at Holaday’s first public forum.

After a brief introduction, small groups will be formed to discuss server topics, including planning and development. Mayor Holaday said anyone interested in helping the city on a project will be entered into a database of names and will likely be contacted.

Click here for the entire Newburyport Current article.

Hamilton Affordable Housing for Seniors

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle reports that Seniors and selectmen recently discussed the potential options for creating affordable senior housing in Hamilton. The Old Library on Bay Road (shown above), currently the site of the Hamilton Council on Aging, has been considered by the Selectmen, but seniors are suggesting other potential sites, including the town-owned land off Patton Drive behind Winthrop School and the Public Safety Building, and unoccupied Hansbury estate property on Willow Street.

Read the entire Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle article.

Salem and Beverly Housing Groups Seek Merger

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Salem News is reporting that Salem Harbor Community Development Corp. has been in merger discussions with the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition. Salem Harbor CDC, which has headquarters on Lafayette Street, owns several buildings and about 180 affordable apartments, many in The Point, an adjacent low-income, largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood. It also offers English classes for immigrants.

The Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition oversees about 70 affordable apartments, with two affordable-housing projects under way – it broke ground last month on 43 studio apartments on Cabot Street at the site of the former Mayflower Motel and has secured initial funding for Holcroft Park Homes, 65 affordable residences in the Gloucester Crossing section of Beverly. They hope to begin construction on that project early next year.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Waterfront, Parking on Newburyport Mayor’s Agenda

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to the Newburyport Current, new Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday is looking to begin her term focusing on a few main projects, including the waterfront and parking.
The waterfront is high on the priority list, and Holaday is looking to bring together a group comprised of the city’s senior project manager, Geordie Vining, independent planner Rick Taintor of the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority (NRA) and attorney Mark Guay of the Maritime Society to come up with an executive summary for what she is calling the “Newburyport Maritime Park.”

The proposed park will have an emphasis on the city’s rich maritime history. She said the proposed expansion to the Custom House Maritime Museum and the NRA’s plans for turning its parking lots into a park will be incorporated into one plan.

Read the entire Newburyport Current article.

First Time Homebuyer Workshops

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Cape Ann Beacon is reporting that First Time Homebuyer Workshops will be held at the Gloucester Housing Authority offices on Feb. 10, 17, 24, and 25. The four nights of classes are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Local guest speakers will talk about safe mortgages, credit scores, down payment grants, when to contact a Realtor®, home inspections, foreclosure prevention, buying foreclosed properties, legal issues, multi-families, insurance, and more.

Class size is limited and expected to fill quickly. The cost is $55. Pre-register by printing the form at www.ghama.com/, calling Kathy Erkkila at 978-281-4770 ext. 110, or stop by the office at 259 Washington Street, Gloucester. There is a discount for early registration.
Full attendance will earn the certificate for HUD, MassHousing, MHP, and most lotteries.

Read the entire Cape Ann Beacon article.

Old Salem Jail to be Housing / Restaurant

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to the Salem Gazette, the old Salem Jail, at the corner of Bridge and St. Peters Street in Salem, MN, will likely be transformed into 23 condo units (which may be first available as apartments), a restaurant and a small museum devoted to the jail’s history.

The old Salem jail property includes an 1813 Gothic-style jail, a 3-story jail keeper’s house that was built by renowned 19th-century New England architect Samuel McIntire, and a 3rd building constructed in the style of an 1800’s wooden carriage house that had to be torn down due to poor condition.

According to David Goldman, the founder of developer New Boston Ventures, the condo units are all uniquely beautiful, especially those within the old jailhouse which have windows that extend from ceiling to floor and cathedral ceilings up to 18 feet high. Two of the jail cells will be preserved and used as an exhibition space complete with rusty keys, old bottles and prisoners’ beds. Additionally, granite taken from the floors of the cells will be used to pave the condominium’s walkways while cell doors will be utilized in the condo’s hallways as “ornamental reminders of what used to be there.”

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

Windrush Farm in Boxford & North Andover

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Tri-Town Transcript reported recently that Windrush Farm, a 195-acre mix of fields, forest, and a rare Atlantic White Cedar Bog located in North Andover and Boxford, will be protected land “forever.”

A partnership consisting of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) – a national non-profit conservation organization, the Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. (WFTE), the Towns of North Andover and Boxford, and Essex County Greenbelt Association (Greenbelt) purchased the land for $3.5 million with a combination of Town and State funding, private foundations, and 468 individual donors.

The Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation was founded in 1964 and provides equine-assisted therapies to more than 300 children and adults with disabilities, including veterans of war. The Tri-Town Transcipt reports that WFTE is the pioneer of more than 780 programs of its kind supported by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association; WFTE plans to expand the number and variety of programs to include the general public, such as community gardens and summer camps.

Windrush Farm contains State-recognized critical wildlife habitat supporting rare and endangered species. Its protection creates a nearly 1800-acre contiguous block of conservation land and connects to an extensive trail network including the Bay Circuit Trail and trails in Boxford State Forest. Conserving Windrush Farm also protects the Ipswich River watershed-providing drinking water to more than 330,000 residents in 15 Massachusetts communities.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript.

New Danvers Waterfront Village District

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Salem News reported recently that Danvers created a new waterfront village district at a recent Special Town meeting that may somebody host a mix of small businesses, restaurants and homes in a Pickering Wharf-like setting. The area will be located on both sides of Water Street (Route 35) and Liberty Street.

Of note to NSAR members –- one of the areas rezoned last night includes the now-vacant site of the ink and paint factory on the east side of Water Street that exploded on Nov. 22, 2006. The new waterfront village district will preclude industrial users from relocating on that parcel, which has been vacant since the infamous explosion.

The Town Meeting also rezoned much of the land on the west side of Water Street by creating a new Danversport industrial area, which will add research and development and trade shops to the area, while future fuel storage, repair, service stations and motor vehicle dealers were removed.

The rezoning is the culmination of 3 years of planning by the Planning Board, consultants and Danvers residents.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Gordon College looks into leasing at Mack Park for Office & Residence

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to The Salem News, Gordon College, a private Christian college in Wenham, is inquiring into leasing a vacant building in Pack Park in Salem, MA for a potential office and residence hall for students.

Gordon College already has lease agreements with the city to run programs at Old Town Hall and Pioneer Village. In the spring, it plans to launch a new academic program in historic interpretation linked to those two programs and wants to open an office in the city and secure living quarters for five or six students with an adult supervisor. It has similar off-campus, satellite programs in Lynn and Gloucester.

The academic program will run from May through November, offer courses right in Salem and provide college credit. College administrators feel it is important for the students to experience Salem by taking courses here and living nearby.

Danvers Housing Authority Approves Affordable Housing Apartments

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to The Danvers Herald, the Danvers Board of Selectmen approved a warrant article that will transfer a Cherry Street to the Danvers Housing Authority, which has plans to create 3 affordable housing apartments.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis and the selectmen’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee have been seeking ways to add affordable units. Back-taxes are $45,000, legal fees are $15,000, and Public Works Department costs to keep the building in reasonable repair are $9,800, said Assistant Planning Director Susan Fletcher during the meeting.

The Housing Authority, which has almost a $1 million operating budget, is profitable. Federal and state money that the authority receives annually must be used to maintain and upgrade currently owned Housing Authority properties and cannot be used for purchases of new property, she explained. “The town has $500,000 put aside for affordable housing, given to the town by the developers of the state hospital,” said Selectman Bennett.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article.

Gloucester Mayor Seeks to Purchase Waterfront Property

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to The Gloucester Daily Times, second-term Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk is looking to purchase long vacant waterfront property, parcels I-4, C-2. The current plan is to acquire the property, erect a sign that says 'Under Idea Development," and then turn to the community for ideas for what to do with it.

The purchase price is currently being negotiated. Mayor Kirk has stated that the $800,000 Gloucester received from the state’s the Seaport Advisory Council for harbor improvements was more than half the money needed for the purchase.

Read the entire Gloucester Daily Times article.

Middleton to Review In-law Apartment Bylaw

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

The Tri-Town Transcript reported that the Middleton Bylaw Review Committee is reviewing a potential in-law apartment bylaw that would allow and regulate in-law apartments, which are defined as areas in single-family house with separate living quarters. Middleton residents are however allowed to rent out a room in their houses to non-family members as long as the individual shares living quarters, such as a bathroom and a kitchen, with the homeowners. However, in-law apartments are not currently allowed, according to Middleton building inspector Richard Bienvenue.

Town Administrator Ira Singer said that creation of a Middleton in-law apartment bylaw could motivate some homeowners into making their in-law apartments legal and adding value on their house. Additionally, if Middleton does approve the bylaw in the future, Bienvenue said the town would offer several months of amnesty, where homeowners could have their in-law apartments inspected without any type of repercussions.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.

Newburyport Riverfront Land

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

The Daily News is reporting that the City of Newburyport is considering increasing their purchase price to $1.35 million for land along Merrimack River, located at 115 Water Street, which it would use as part of a wastewater treatment plant upgrade. The waterfront property is currently owned by American Marine and Boat Storage.

Newburyport took the land through a taking and has been negotiating the price for damages with the owners.

Read the entire Daily News article.

Smart Growth Affordable Housing with Retail in Downtown Haverhill

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

The Eagle Tribune reported that construction has begun for redeveloping the Charles Hayes Building on Granite Street in downtown Haverhill, near the train station. The Boston Archdiocese's nonprofit Planning Office for Urban Affairs is converting the old factory to include 57 one- and two-bedroom homes — 33 apartments that will be reserved for low- and middle-income renters, and 24 that will initially be rentals and then converted to condominiums within 5 years. 19 of the condos will be sold to middle-income buyers and 5 will be market-rate units.

This is the third major factory-to-housing conversion in downtown Haverhill; the first that will feature retail space on the ground floor. The developer's agreement with the city calls for 3 retail businesses on Granite Street, which faces the Washington Street train station and is across from the Railroad Square property, where the city is building a $10 million parking garage this summer.

The property at 14-44 Granite St. is actually two historic mill buildings — a six-story building that was constructed in 1894, and a seven-story addition built in 1911. Various manufacturers set up shop in the buildings over the years, including an electrical equipment maker, photo finisher, and millwork producer.

According to the article, Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said the city's adoption Chapter 40R – smart growth - played a major role in the agency choosing Haverhill for the housing project.

The city used the law to create a 53-acre zone downtown where building housing is faster, easier and potentially less costly than outside the zone. Proposals in the district are no longer subject to reviews by multiple city boards and they cannot be stopped by the City Council. Under the old zoning rules, proposals to convert large factories to housing required a special permit from the council. Now, a housing proposal in the zone only needs to meet pre-approved design standards and undergo a review by the council.

The Granite Street project is the 2nd large housing development since the council approved the 40R district. The other is the $75 million, 305-unit Hamel Mills Lofts by Forest City Enterprises of Cleveland. The $39 million, 146-unit Cordovan complex on Locust Street was the 1st of the large factory-to-housing conversions.

Read the entire Eagle Tribune article.

Ipswich Voters Preserve Maplecroft Farm

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Ipswich Chronicle reported that a Special Town Meeting in Ipswich was held on Oct. 19 where voters authorized to tap the town’s open-space bond for $2.2 million to preserve 247 acres of Maplecroft Farm.

The purchase will preserve the land in perpetuity, including 100 acres of agricultural use, 1.5 mile bridal, hiking and biking and open space that include salt marsh, wetlands, forest and "the largest grassland habitat in eastern Massachusetts".

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article.

Hamilton Community Preservation Act (CPA) Projects

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

According to the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle , voters at a Town Meeting last week voted to appropriate $122,400 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for the following projects:

Repaint Hamilton’s historic Town Hall - $33,000
Replace the front steps at Town Hall with granite steps - $28,000
Renovations to the historic town cemetery building - $13,000
To fund an ADA elevator study, environmental assessment, and space needs study for Town Hall - $38,000
Weaver Pond Nuisance Vegetation Control project - $9,400
New Historic District signs - $1,000

The Community Preservation Act is a state law that Hamilton has adopted, which allows the town to establish a fund, raised through a property tax surcharge of 2%, to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation. Any project that meets the requirements and is approved by Town Meeting voters will receive between a 5-50% match from the state. The article reports that, Hamilton received a 34.81% “match” for fiscal year 2009.

Read the entire Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle article.

Chapter 40B Development in Boxford

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Tri-Town Transcript reported that the Boxford Housing Partnership has chosen a developer to build a 40B affordable housing development in Boxford. The Oxbow Partners 40B housing project will be built on a 13-acre section of the Haynes land and consists of 20 townhouse units – 14 of which will be reserved for the Boxford community and all will be considered affordable.

Oxbow Partners will be applying for state grants for first-time buyers to subsidize the cost of construction and will offer a portion of the two or three bedroom units for $174,000 and $195,000 to families that make less than $64,000. They will offer the rest the units for $220,000 to $250,000 to families that make less than $85,000.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article here.

MBTA Commuter Rail Garage in Salem

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Salem News reported that a parking garage at the MBTA station near downtown Salem will soon become a reality. The parking garage will be 6 stories and accommodate between 750-900 parking spaces. Governor Deval Patrick announced that the garage will be built from a combination of state, federal and local funds, and is estimated to cost between $40-45 million.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll called the planned garage "phenomenal news” and described the commuter rail parking garage as the "piece de resistance" on Bridge Street, which will also feature a redevelopment of the former jailhouse, the planned Senior Center, and the state's slated upgrades to Bridge Street, blocks from the new Essex County Courthouse complex.

As part of the MBTA's plans, the train station would include a lobby area with room for a newsstand and small coffee shop, a new train platform, improved handicapped access, and new sidewalks with better access surrounding the site. It is estimated to be completed by 2011.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Haverhill Parking Garage

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Salem News has reported that with final approval of $1.7 million from the state, Haverhill plans on beginning construction on a $10 million parking garage that is expected to include at least 3 levels and between 350- 450 spaces. Haverhill has secured about $500,000 in private financing and the federal government has committed $7.8 million for the development.

The parking garage, which is being built at 57 Granite Street, just off Railroad Square, is to be operated by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. According to Mayor James Fiorentini, construction is expected to begin in May or June 2010 and take about 18 months – estimated opening in late 2011.

Read the entire Salem News article.

Revised Transportation Plan Disappointing

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EDT

A recent opinion piece appeared in the September 26th issue of the Salem News. It was a piece talking about how the new regional Boston transportation plan. Here is a summary of their position:

North Shore residents are feeling like they have not been treated fairly. In a draft study by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, they plan to eliminate key improvements in the North Shore transportation plan. They recommend dropping Blue Line extension to Lynn, widening Route 128 between Peabody and Beverly, and improvements to the route 1 and 114 corridors.

North Shore residents argue that they are paying more than their fair share through bridge and tunnel tolls and by use of transponders. and that without these changes implemented, the highways will be increasingly crowed and congested Greater support from our region’s political leaders to ensure the economic viability of our community.

Read the entire article here. What do you all think? If you have a strong opinion on the subject,let your state representation or senator know.

Update on Beverly Parking Garage

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Beverly Citizen reports that in the latest step to build a $20 million 500-space parking garage near the Beverly Depot, the MBTA has offered to pay a private developer $12.5 million and allow the developer to then lease its portion of the project from the MBTA. The goal is for the 1.5 acre sit at the end of Court Street, between Rantoul Street and the train tracks, to be a commercial and residential space, allowing Beverly to take advantage of smart growth zoning policies. The garage is scheduled to be complete and open in October 2011.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

Danversport Bridge

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Danvers Herald reported that the new bridge over the Waters River in Danvers may be named The Danversport Bridge by the state Legislature, which has complete jurisdiction over all bridges – including building, maintaining and naming them. This spring, the state began the $7.8 million project to rebuild the old bridge, which has been on the list of bridges needing replacement since 1996. It will be finished in 2011.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article.

Waterfront Walkway in Beverly

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Beverly Citizen reported that MassHighway is exploring to complete the waterfront walkway on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Beverly. The walkway was originally part of the commitment MassHighway made when it received environmental permits to build the bridge in 1996.

Beverly Planning Director Tina Cassidy said that the state plans to build a park on the stub of the old Beverly-Salem Bridge off Bridge Street in Salem. The park was also part of the original permit agreement. The work is back on the front burner after city officials met with MassHighway representatives in February and “reminded them about the project” and the “outstanding, lingering obligation,” Cassidy said.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.