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Massachusetts Governor Healey Awards $21 Million for Lakeside Apartments Redevelopment in Worcester

Massachusetts Governor Healey Awards $21 Million for Lakeside Apartments Redevelopment in Worcester

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced a $21 million award to the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) for the redevelopment of Lakeside Apartments in Worcester. This funding is part of a larger statewide investment of $278 million across 20 communities, facilitated by the state Affordable Homes Act and a tax cut package designed to boost housing development. The WHA is set to receive $8.1 million in tax credits and $13 million in subsidy funds and soft debt to advance the third phase of the Lakeside Apartments' reconstruction. The project aims to transform the 1949-built complex, which currently has 202 units, into 350 modernized units across four phases. The third phase specifically will create 103 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with amenities such as laundry facilities on each floor, community rooms, and fitness centers. A significant portion of these units will be designated for tenants earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, and 67 units will accept Project-based Section 8 vou...
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Tenacity Program Sends Massachusetts Youth to U.S. Open, Fostering Life Skills Through Tennis

Tenacity Program Sends Massachusetts Youth to U.S. Open, Fostering Life Skills Through Tennis

Tenacity Program Sends Massachusetts Youth to U.S. Open, Fostering Life Skills Through Tennis
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BXP Expands Waltham Portfolio with Newly Rezoned Office Park Acquisition

BXP Expands Waltham Portfolio with Newly Rezoned Office Park Acquisition

BXP Expands Waltham Portfolio with Newly Rezoned Office Park Acquisition
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DivcoWest Advances 19-Story Lab Development in Somerville Amidst Slowing Life Sciences Market

DivcoWest Advances 19-Story Lab Development in Somerville Amidst Slowing Life Sciences Market

DivcoWest Advances 19-Story Lab Development in Somerville Amidst Slowing Life Sciences Market
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Massachusetts Housing Projects Receive $278 Million in Public Funding to Boost Affordability

Massachusetts Housing Projects Receive $278 Million in Public Funding to Boost Affordability

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced a significant allocation of $278 million in state and federal funding for 29 housing projects across 20 communities. This marks the largest single round of housing awards in the state in over a decade, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The funding aims to create 930 new homes, preserve 1,182 affordable units, and redevelop 310 public housing units. Governor Healey attributed this substantial investment to the state's 2024 Affordable Homes Act, which she proposed and signed. The awards include $155 million in subsidy financing from EOHLC, $62 million in state low-income housing tax credits, $48 million in 4% federal low-income housing tax credits, and $13 million in 9% federal low-income housing tax credits. Four projects in Boston received funding, including Trinity Financial's 72-unit 150 Centre St. project in Dorchester and the preservation of 331 mixed-income units at Orchard Gardens in Nubian Square. Other recipient citie...
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Baltimore Councilmember Raises Alarm Over Broken Fire Hydrants After Major Fire

Baltimore Councilmember Raises Alarm Over Broken Fire Hydrants After Major Fire

A recent massive fire in Baltimore at the corner of Appleton and Presbury streets has brought to light serious concerns regarding the functionality of fire hydrants in the city. Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos, D-District 14, has flagged the issue, stating that non-working hydrants pose a major safety risk. During the Wednesday fire, firefighters encountered significant difficulties accessing water, with dispatch recordings indicating that one hydrant was either 'dead' or had 'real low pressure,' forcing crews to reposition to another hydrant. Neighbors also reported issues with a hydrant at Appleton and Westwood streets. On Friday morning, City Department of Public Works (DPW) crews were observed checking hydrants in the area. DPW maintains thousands of hydrants across Baltimore City and County and recently reported approximately 100 hydrants are in need of repair.
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Massachusetts Launches Student Loan Repayment Program for Early Educators

Massachusetts Launches Student Loan Repayment Program for Early Educators

Massachusetts has initiated a new student loan repayment program specifically designed for early educators, as announced by Governor Maura Healey. The program, known as the Early Childhood Educator Loan Repayment Program, has awarded approximately $1.8 million in loan repayment funds to 248 early education and care workers across the state. Under this initiative, eligible educators can receive up to $7,500 annually to help pay down their student loans. The program prioritizes experienced staff and those working in programs that serve high-need families or operate in areas experiencing childcare shortages. State leaders emphasize that the primary goal of this program is to encourage educators to remain in the early education field, support their long-term career development, and ensure the continued availability of early education and childcare services for working families throughout Massachusetts.
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Bill Simmons Under Massachusetts Gaming Commission Review for Proxy Betting Admission

Bill Simmons Under Massachusetts Gaming Commission Review for Proxy Betting Admission

Bill Simmons Under Massachusetts Gaming Commission Review for Proxy Betting Admission
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Watertown DPW Superintendent Brian MacCue Departs Amidst Unspecified Circumstances

Watertown DPW Superintendent Brian MacCue Departs Amidst Unspecified Circumstances

Brian MacCue, the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works (DPW) in Watertown, New York, has left his position. City Manager Eric Wagenaar confirmed MacCue's departure and announced that Karen Overton, previously the assistant superintendent, has been appointed as the interim superintendent. Wagenaar declined to provide specific reasons for MacCue's exit. However, reports indicate that low morale within the department may have been a contributing factor. It has been clarified that MacCue's departure is not linked to the city's decision to install speedbumps in Thompson Park. This change in leadership comes as the city council recently approved a $1,075,000 settlement related to a fatal e-bike crash in Thompson Park last summer. The lawsuit, filed against the city and Jefferson County, alleges that the speedbumps were responsible for the crash that resulted in the death of 66-year-old Karen Hodge and injuries to her husband, Jeffrey.
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Massachusetts Law Regulates No-Knock Warrants, Requires Probable Cause and Specific Criteria

Massachusetts Law Regulates No-Knock Warrants, Requires Probable Cause and Specific Criteria

Massachusetts has implemented a law, Section 2D of Chapter 276, that strictly regulates the issuance of no-knock warrants. These warrants, which permit law enforcement to enter a residence without prior announcement, can only be issued by a judge under specific conditions. The affidavit supporting the warrant request must establish probable cause that announcing presence would endanger the lives of officers or others. Additionally, the affidavit must attest that there is no reason to believe minor children or adults over 65 are in the home, unless there is a credible risk of imminent harm to these vulnerable individuals. Police officers executing a search warrant are generally required to knock and announce their presence and purpose before forcibly entering, unless a no-knock warrant has been specifically authorized under these stringent criteria. Any evidence seized in violation of these requirements will be deemed inadmissible.
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Bowling Green City Commissioners Advance Pedestrian Safety Rules and Allocate Additional Sinkhole Repair Funds

Bowling Green City Commissioners Advance Pedestrian Safety Rules and Allocate Additional Sinkhole Repair Funds

Bowling Green city commissioners have moved forward with new pedestrian safety rules for several of the city's busiest roads. The proposed ordinance aims to restrict individuals from remaining stationary in certain public rights-of-way along major streets such as Dishman Lane, Cave Mill Road, and Broadway Avenue. This measure is intended to reduce the risk of pedestrian-involved accidents, following concerns raised by Commissioner Sue Parrigin regarding numerous pedestrian deaths and injuries. The commissioners approved amendments to the proposal, exempting property owners, residents, and their invited guests from the restrictions and removing a previously proposed $20 permit fee. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading on September 15. Concurrently, the commissioners approved an additional $462,550 for demolition and sinkhole repairs, increasing the city's total contract with Scott and Ritter Inc. to $1,642,550. Public Works geologist Nick Lawhon reported that the city is currently managing 11 sin...
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Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

The city of Newton is reorganizing its climate and sustainability office, integrating it into the Department of Public Works (DPW) and re-evaluating its leadership structure. Mayor Marc Laredo's administration announced that Sustainability Co-Chair Ann Berwick would be 'transitioning' out of her role, though Berwick stated she was 'abruptly fired' without a stated reason or discussion about the city's future sustainability plans. This change marks a shift in the city's approach to sustainability, moving from policy development to active implementation and climate adaptation strategies. Newton Chief Operations Officer Josh Morse explained that the reorganization aims to leverage the DPW's extensive resources and infrastructure capabilities to execute climate action plans more effectively. The city has a long history of environmental leadership, dating back to the 1970s with an 'energy engineer' position, and has since expanded its initiatives to include stormwater resiliency and phosphorus reduction program...