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Articles on North Shore Real Estate

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

General News
Advocacy Report - 4/25/25

Gloucester have voted to support 3A
advocacy News
ONE+ Mortgage Unveiled in Lynn

State leadership joined together in Lynn to celebrate the unveiling of the ONE+ Mortgage from MHP.
advocacy News
Local Election Results

Winners of contested races around the North Shore
advocacy News
Ipswich Fails to Pass 3A

Ipswich votes to indefinitely postpone 3A vote 295-294-2.
advocacy News
Beverly to Hold Joint Public Hearings on 3A Compliance

The Beverly City Council and Planning Board are holding a joint public hearing on October 7, 2024, to discuss the city’s proposed MBTA Communities Overlay District.
advocacy News
Gloucester Approves New Short-Term Rental Regulations

On August 27, 2024, the Gloucester City Council voted to add new regulations on short-term rentals.
advocacy News
Gloucester City Council and Planning Board to Hold Joint Public Hearings on 3A Compliance

The Gloucester City Council and Planning Board are holding initial joint public hearings on September 11, 2024, and September 26, 2024, to discuss implementing a proposed Multi-family Overlay District (MFOD).
advocacy News
Ipswich Residents to Vote on Compliance with 3A at Special Town Meeting

At Ipswich’s Special Town Meeting on October 22, 2024, residents will vote on implementing a Multi-family Overlay District that would comply with the state multi-family zoning requirements for MBTA communities.
advocacy News
Gloucester MBTA Discussion

Public Forum Scheduled for 8/21 and two joint public hearings on 9/11 and 9/26
advocacy News
Hamilton Town Center Plan

Public Visioning Workshop scheduled for July 25
advocacy News
Wenham Holds 3A Public Forum

The Public Forum is scheduled for June 5th at the Buker Elementary School
advocacy News
Middleton Votes Down 3A

Middleton declines to adopt 3A in a 101-161 vote.
advocacy News
Swampscott Passes 3A

In a vote during the 3rd day of Town Meeting, Swampscott passes 3A
advocacy News
Topsfield Adopts 3A

At Town Meeting Topsfield residents passed a 3A zoning overlay
advocacy News
Ipswich Says Yes and No to Stretch Code

At Town Meeting, residents vote to maintain Stretch Code but not adopt Specialized Stretch Code
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.