Yearly Archives: 2017

A Boston man was charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with robbing a branch of the Mansfield Bank in West Bridgewater on Nov. 22, 2016. Stephen D. Williams, 54, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery, and was detained following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2017

The Massachusestts House of Representatives and Senate made their legislative committee assignments this week. Rep. Kevin Honan was reappointed as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing. Sen. Joseph Boncore was appointed as the new Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing. Other members of the Legislature assigned to the Housing Committee include

The Baker-Polito Administration is filing “An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges,” which requests $200 million in Chapter 90 funds for local transportation infrastructure projects across Massachusetts

Framingham Public Works is pleased to announce that four (4) Neighborhood Meetings have been scheduled in March, 2017 to provide an opportunity for residents to preview upcoming construction projects in and around their neighborhood

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that ongoing buyer demand pushed pending home sales up in January more than 10 percent compared to the same time last year. Realtors® confidence both in the market and in home prices was positive in January. This month’s “Hot Topic” question finds that the majority of Realtors® in Massachusetts are not yet using 3-D, virtual or augmented reality technology in marketing homes. However, a significant portion (35 percent) have tried the technology on some of their listings, indicating that this is a burgeoning trend among agents

First-time homebuyers are finding it increasingly difficult to locate a home in Massachusetts as home prices and low inventory have significantly increased competition in the market according to the 2016 Massachusetts Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The study found that the share of first-time homebuyers dropped to a low of 35 percent, which is the lowest share of first-time buyers since the Profile began collecting Massachusetts data in 2003.

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-04) responded to the results of Independent System Operator - New England’s (ISO-NE) eleventh Forward Capacity Auction (FCA 11) for electricity generating capacity in the region in the coming years. While the total cost to consumers of this most recent auction has dropped to $2.4 billion, down from roughly $3 billion for last year’s auction, these prices remain significantly higher than the roughly $1 billion total value of the auctions a few years ago

New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) appointed Town of Framingham Public Works Assistant Director-Engineering Water and Wastewater, James Barsanti as President during their Annual Conference and Exhibit at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel on January 25, 2017. Barsanti has 31 years of experience in the water and wastewater field and recently served as president-elect of NEWEA. NEWEA’s mission is to promote education and collaboration and offers members a wide range of resources including education, training, leadership skills and technical journals for wastewater professionals

On June 2, 2016, the Planning Board granted a decision for the construction of the RCS Learning Center located at 82 Edmands Road. The decision regulates the hours of construction and development related activities for the project. Pursuant to condition 12, the RCS Learning Center and its contractors are required to abide by the following hours of construction:

Senior citizens living at the 198-unit Essex Towers in the Gateway City of Lawrence will have affordable rents extended through 2036 and see some moderate property improvements as a result of $15.8 million in MassHousing financing

On Wednesday night, Mayor Martin J. Walsh led a group of 400 volunteers, including City of Boston cabinet and department heads, State officials, community and civic leaders, and homeless providers in conducting the street count for the City's 37th annual homeless census. The street count is part of a larger census of homeless adults and families in emergency shelters, transitional housing and domestic violence programs

Congressman Richard E. Neal, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Holyoke Soldiers Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh gave an exclusive tour of Union Station today for a group of Western Massachusetts veterans and residents of the Soldiers Home. Since its construction in 1926, the iconic train station in downtown Springfield has played a significant role in the lives of countless members of our Armed Forces. It’s the place where they departed for their military service, and the setting for their return home to loved ones. Today’s tour is an expression of appreciation and gratitude to our local soldiers for their honorable service. The renovated and restored Union Station will open to the public this year

“These CCRI grants are helping dedicated nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts provide the housing and services these individuals and families require to become successful in beating addiction and leading stable, productive lives.’

As New England prepares for an upcoming energy auction that will impact future energy prices, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Fair Ratepayer, Accountability, Transparency and Efficiency Standards (RATES) Act. The legislation would ensure that consumers can protest any energy rate change filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The general public has an avenue to protest a rate change filed with FERC through the Federal Power Act (FPA), which allows new rate changes to take effect if FERC approves them or fails to issue an order either approving or denying filed rates.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that 2016 closed out in December with single-family home sales essentially at the same pace as last year. Eleven of the 12 months of the year saw an increase in home sales over 2015. Median prices were also up for 10 straight months as home values reached new highs. Condominium sales were down in December, after a year of mostly increases. Overall, 2016 was a positive year for home sales in Massachusetts as both year-end single-family and condominium sales and median prices were up over 2015.