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NSR News

The latest information about the association, our brokerage community, and the real estate industry.

advocacy News
Rockport Passes Zoning Changes

Rockport Residents Approve Zoning Changes
General News
Georgetown Affordable Housing Trust and Affordable Housing Task Force - Joint Meeting

Georgetown Affordable Housing Trust and Affordable Housing Task Force - Joint Meeting
General News
Call For Action!

NSR Committed to Fighting Against a Sales Tax on Homes
General News
Town of Hamilton Annual Town Meeting

The Town of Hamilton is scheduled to hold its annual Town Meeting on Saturday April 6th.

General News
Nahant Community Preservation Committee Preparing Resident-Proposed Grant Articles

The Nahant Community Preservation Committee is preparing resident-proposed grant articles ahead of the upcoming Town Meeting in May. The Commonwealth Community Preservation Act allows the Town of Nahant to invest in projects related to open space, historical preservation, and affordable housing. The town’s 3% property tax surcharge is matched annually by the state to help finance projects. The committee will need to have their articles prepared by April 19th, as the Finance Committee will review them before Town Meeting in May.
General News
Supreme Court to Rule on MBTA Communities Act Lawsuit

The attorney general's lawsuit seeking to force the town of Milton to comply with the 2021 MBTA Communities Act which is intended to stimulate badly needed housing production in the state will go before the Supreme Court in fall 2024.

Justice Serge Georges ruled that the case raises important questions that ought to be settled or else they will keep popping up and ordered both sides to prepare for oral arguments before all seven justices of the Supreme Court in October 2024.

Milton Town Meeting approved a plan that would have complied with the law, but opponents of the changes worried about excess development pursued a referendum, and a majority of Milton voters last month chose to defeat the compliance plan. As a result, the state immediately revoked a $140,8000 grant and said that the town would be ineligible to receive future MassWorks and HousingWorks grants, and will be at a competitive disadvantage for other state funding.
General News
Salem Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board Offers Funding

The city of Salem has launched a new Request for Grant Applications, administered through the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, to support housing projects and services that address the City’s housing needs. As housing prices continue to far outpace incomes, the need for more housing and particularly affordable housing is urgent. This is why Salem designed an initiative which utilizes $400,000 of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. According to the city, this program’s funding source can be utilized to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable housing units in the city, as well to offer critical housing services, including housing stability for current tenants and homeowners and assistance to unhoused individuals. This application is for “programmatic” support services (e.g. Rental Downpayment Assistance Programs, Housing Rehabilitation Programs, Homeless assistance), and the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Eligible projects a) must serve qualifying households and populations, as described by U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule, b) advance the goals of the Housing Roadmap c) align with the goals of the Trust, and d) be able to commit the funds no later than June 30, 2024.
General News
Topsfield Planning Board to Discuss Zoning Articles at Public Hearing

The Town of Topsfield Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday March 20th, 2024, at 7 p.m. The meeting will discuss zoning articles to be proposed for the 2024 Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Tuesday May 7th, 2024 at 7 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting will also be held via remote means for members of the public who wish to watch or listen to the meeting virtually.

General News
Marblehead Creating New Town Charter

The town of Marblehead is seeking residents interested in serving on a new committee with the goal of creating a new town charter. This is a great opportunity for residents to play an active role in the future of the community. The intent of creating a new town charter is to help streamline government services, create a better-defined chain of command and oversight, and, ultimately, look for efficiencies and ways to save funds as the town faces increasing budget constraints. The deadline to submit letters of interest and resumes is March 22, 2024. Submit to Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street, or email wileyk@marblehead.org.

advocacy News
Attorney General Sues Town Over Non-Compliance of MBTA Communities Law

Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against the Town of Milton for failure to comply with the MBTA Communities Law.
advocacy News
3A Non-Compliant Communities Face Penalties

The town of Milton becomes the first community to not adopt a 3A compliant zoning policy, as a result the state has enacted penalties.
advocacy News
Gloucester Comprehensive Plan

Gloucester has launched a Vision Drafting Questionnaire that will remain open through March 2. In addition to this, an in-person Public Vision Workshop will be held at City Hall on March 9. Later this Spring, an in-person Community Review of the Comprehensive Plan will take place on May 4 at City Hall. The city is currently in PHASE II of its four Phase Plan. The Gloucester Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be complete by January 2025.