The Plainville Fire Department extinguished a mulch fire that spread to two units in a condo complex Tuesday night that displaced 29 people, including eight children. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire hits Amesbury condominium complex (MA)
Firefighters from numerous communities battled a three-alarm fire in a Pond Street condominium complex Monday afternoon. Read the entire article……………………………….
Grand Manor Condo owners still owed millions from Lowell, property remains contaminated (MA)
Any first-time homebuyer or young family moving to Lowell may think Grand Manor Condominiums are a steal. The affordable prices and idyllic neighborhood would be enough to pique anyone’s interest. But with a quick Google search, the condos quickly lose their luster. Read the entire article……………………………….
A Kingston family’s house was bombarded with golf balls. They sued the country club next door and won nearly $5 million (MA)
Seven hundred golf balls were not included when the Tenczars bought their $750,000 Kingston home. But neither were the broken windows, dented siding, and gunshot-sounding golf ball hits that turned their dream home into a nightmare, according to The Boston Globe. Read the entire article……………………………….
More charges filed against condo property manager (MA)
New larceny charges involving a Lynn condominium complex have been filed against a Lynnfield property manager charged last year with embezzling more than $15,000 from a Danvers condo association. The development scuttled plans for a hearing Thursday where Frank Carucchio was expected to offer restitution to the Edmunds Cove Condominium Trust to settle the case. […]
So many fire escapes in Boston haven’t been inspected, putting owners, occupants, and buyers at risk (MA)
On July 22, 1975, in Boston, 19-year-old Diana Bryant and her 2-year-old goddaughter Tiare Jones fled a blaze in a Marlborough Street building by climbing onto the fire escape. It collapsed before firefighters could reach them. Bryant died, but the child, who landed on her, survived. A photojournalist snapped chilling photos of the pair falling […]
So many fire escapes in Boston haven’t been inspected. What this means if you own a home or buy (MA)
On July 22, 1975, in Boston, 19-year-old Diana Bryant and her 2-year-old goddaughter Tiare Jones fled a blaze in a Marlborough Street building by climbing onto the fire escape. It collapsed before firefighters could reach them. Bryant died, but the child, who landed on her, survived. A photojournalist snapped chilling photos of the pair falling […]
Feds: Dedham official bilked R.I. condo association out of $46,500 to go to Plainville casino (MA/RI)
A Dedham town official allegedly defrauded a Woonsocket condominium association out of $46,500 to fund her personal expenses and gambling at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, prosecutors said Monday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Easthampton condo owners latest beneficiaries of lockbox program (MA)
Easthampton public safety officials joined TRIAD on Wednesday to install 64 of the lockboxes at Harvest Valley Condominium complex East Street. The lockboxes hold house keys that can help first responders address emergencies when a condominium occupant is incapacitated Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowners dispute ownership of road (MA)
Residents of Sippican Woods development told the select board Tuesday that the town should be responsible for maintaining Field Stone Road, which is now under the oversight of a newly formed homeowners association. Read the entire article……………………………….
Engineers to remove water lilies from Northborough’s Solomon Pond (MA)
Environmental engineer Dominic Meringolo and SOLitude Lake Management were hired by the Pond View Homeowners Association in 2019 to survey and recommend management of vegetation in Solomon Pond. Read the entire article……………………………….
White Horse denial stirs residents in Ocean Pines community (MD)
Although the Worcester County Commissioners Dec. 7 decision to consent to White Horse Park updating its declarations had been all but written in stone since May, the news nonetheless caused an uproar among some members of the 465-person mobile home community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Amherst condominium residents can display political lawn signs following ACLU action (MA)
Residents at the Hampshire Village Condominium in Amherst will be allowed to post political and other signs in support of candidates after a legal analysis by ACLU. The rule was changed and filed Monday by the Master Deed at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds after a legal analysis by ACLU of Massachusetts and a […]
Reminder: How carbon monoxide detectors are important (MA)
Last week, a carbon monoxide detector helped to save the lives of residents in a Agawam condo complex. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it’s a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when fuel is burned, so you can’t see it or smell it. If it is not vented properly, it can accumulate inside of buildings […]
Sticker shock: Special assessments can send condo costs even higher. What buyers should be asking (MA)
The Boston condo world in the early aughts simmered — explosively boiled, some might say — with the drama played out in the media regarding special assessments that left owners with six-figure bills for hefty, overdue maintenance projects. Read the entire article……………………………….
Norwell homeowners association threatens to sue town over Wildcat Lane land (MA)
The leaders of a Norwell homeowners association that fought hard against a small multifamily development being built nearby are threatening to sue the town. Read the entire article……………………………….
Somerville officials press for condo charging stations (MA)
Condos could have electric vehicle charging stations installed on the property as discussed during the Legislative Matters Committee meeting last Thursday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Norwell homeowners association threatens to sue town over Wildcat Lane land (MA)
The leaders of a Norwell homeowners association that fought hard against a small multifamily development being built nearby are threatening to sue the town. Read the entire article……………………………….
Contractor Allegedly Stole More Than $50,000 From Southport Residents (MA)
In December 2020, Southport management became aware that Mr. Vieira allegedly forged the signature of one of its agents on an architectural modification form that was submitted to the Town of Mashpee building department, police said in court documents. The Southport Condominium Association then barred Mr. Vieira from doing additional work in the neighborhood but […]
A water damaged condo, a six-month insurance wait (MA)
Last December, Nicky Enriquez began noticing beads of moisture on the ceiling and walls of her condo in Chelsea, which she suspected was somehow connected to the new floor recently installed upstairs by a contractor. Read the entire article……………………………….
Two-alarm fire causes extensive damage to Mashpee condo complex (MA)
Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire in Mashpee sometime after 2:30 PM Saturday. Officials struck two-alarms for the South Cape Resort Condos at 950 South Cape Road. Initial reports fire showing on the outside of the building. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Fire crews were able to douse the initial […]
What to know about Massachusetts General Law Chapter 183A — the condominium law
Being a homeowner can get complicated — especially when you’re in it together with your neighbors. Condominium owners are likely well accustomed to the specific laws and regulations in Massachusetts that manage everything from ownership percentages to collective liability, many of them summarized in state General Law Chapter 183A. Read the entire article……………………………….
What to know about homeowners associations in Boston (MA)
Owning a condo is not the same as opting for a single-family home. That’s one of the first things to understand if you’re on the hunt for a place to call your own that is part of a homeowners association (HOA), local industry experts told Boston.com. Read the entire article……………………………….
Guidance for condos about requiring masks (MA)
QUESTION: I am a board member in a large condo complex that has a wide variety of residents, including many elderly people, families and children. Some of the older residents and parents of young children are very concerned about the rise of the Delta variant and want the board to institute a mask requirement in […]
What to know about the Belmont condo building evacuated due to structural concerns (MA)
With the Miami collapse still fresh, 75 Belmont residents were evacuated from a condo building after engineers found structural concerns. The seven-story building at 125 Trapelo Rd. was inspected by a structural engineering firm after residents noticed cracks in the structure, 7 News Boston reported Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents evacuated from 7-story condo building in Belmont amid structural concerns (MA)
Residents were evacuated from a seven-story condo building in Belmont on Thursday due to structural concerns, officials said. The building at 125 Trapelo Rd. was reportedly inspected by a structural engineering firm after residents noticed cracks in its structure. After receiving a preliminary synopsis of the findings, Great Property Management CEO Lou Gargiulo, in conjunction […]
Residents of Sandcastle Estates vote to pursue purchase of Attleboro mobile home park (MA)
Shortly before 8 p.m. Monday, applause and cheers erupted in the Sandcastle Estates clubhouse. It came as officials announced that residents of the mobile home park on Mendon Road had voted to match the offer of Crow Holdings out of Newton and Dallas to buy the 82-acre, 172-unit senior park. The price was close to […]
Man gets probation in Leominster condo theft case (MA)
The son of a Leominster condo association treasurer received three years of probation Monday after admitting to stealing thousands from its owners. Raymond R. Remy Jr., 60, pleaded guilty to six counts of receiving stolen property over $250 and six counts of larceny over $250. Read the entire article……………………………….
Proxy votes are okay for condo associations (MA)
QUESTION: Recently our condo association held our annual meeting during which an election of trustees was conducted. One trustee brought proxies from seven residents (plus his own vote). One trustee resigned a couple of years ago in order to be appointed the resident property manager. This person also brought four or five proxies (plus his […]
Residents of Sandcastle Estates in Attleboro dreading pending sale (MA)
Sandcastle Estates was bought by Legacy Communities for $13.35 million 2 1/2 years ago and now there’s another deal in place to sell it for nearly $19 million. Read the entire article……………………………….
After Florida tragedy, condo owners are asking: Does my building set aside enough money for repairs? (MA)
Condo owners throughout New England were no doubt watching in horror as new details emerged about the deadly collapse of a 13-story condo building in South Florida. With the death toll expected to exceed 110, it may be one of the deadliest accidental building collapses in American history. How could such a thing happen? And […]
Large Fire Destroys Lawrence Condo Building, Displacing at Least 16 (MA)
At least 16 people were displaced Thursday night when a large fire destroyed a condominium building in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The three-alarm blaze broke out around 8 p.m. on Shawsheen Court. Flames were already going through the roof before fire crews arrived. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo manager charged with embezzling from Danvers complex (MA)
The owner of a Lynnfield property management company has been charged with embezzling more than $15,000 from a Danvers condominium complex, and police are also investigating him in connection with thefts from other condo owners in Lynn. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire That Destroyed Homes In Franklin Condominium Complex Ruled Accidental (MA)
A fire that tore through a 12-unit condominium complex in Franklin earlier this week has been ruled accidental, the State Fire Marshal said Friday. The fire at the Franklin Crossing Condominiums Monday afternoon left 36 families without a home, some of them permanently. One resident was hurt trying to fight the fire herself. Read the […]
Firefighters battling multi-alarm blaze at condo complex in Franklin (MA)
Firefighters are battling a multi-alarm blaze that broke out at a condominium complex in Franklin on Monday afternoon.Crews responding to a report of a fire in the area of Crossing Road found flames shooting from the roof of a multi-level building and thick smoke billowing into the air. Read the entire article……………………………….
About 30 left homeless after fire guts Tewksbury condo building (MA)
High winds contributed to the spread of a fire Sunday that destroyed about a dozen units in a Tewksbury condominium complex. The fire at the Pheasant Hunt complex on Randolph Road started on the third floor of the structure just before 5 p.m. Within minutes, three fire departments were called to battle the flames. Read […]
4 Families Displaced in Dennis Port Condo Complex Fire (MA)
Four families have been displaced following a two-alarm fire in two units of a condominium complex in Dennis Port, Massachusetts. Read the entire article……………………………….
Dennis seasonal condo owners upset by 260% hike in beach sticker cost (MA)
Angela and Jim DiTerlizzi have owned a cottage at The Village at Nantucket Sound since 2012. For each of those nine years, they paid for a resident beach sticker, which they used to access resident-only beach parking lots in the town where they spend their summers. Read the entire article……………………………….
Confusion over road status contributes to Cross Neck Road floods (MA)
A one-mile-long, half-paved road stretching from Marion Golf Club to Brainard Marsh confounded area residents and board members alike during the Selectmen’s meeting on April 6. Parties debated whether Cross Neck Road truly lies on public or private land, and who should be charged with maintaining a road that, despite its normality in nearly every […]
Ownership of numerous Back Bay, downtown luxury condos hinges on legal action involving Saudi companies, citizens and a murderous crown prince (MA)
A Saudi company that claims it was defrauded of billions of dollars in a scheme by a conniving Saudi citizen and his sons last week filed suit in Suffolk Superior Court to demand it be allowed to seize condos on the 52nd floor of One Dalton Place and at the Mandarin Oriental and Millennium Place […]
How a homeowners association plans to block Norwell’s affordable housing project (MA)
A homeowners association is trying to block the building of more affordable housing in town by pushing a citizen’s petition that could transform a parcel designated for housing into conservation land. Read the article………………………………………
Real Estate Advice: What condo boards can and cannot do (MA)
Q: I am a member of the board of trustees of my condo association. It has been brought to our attention that one of the unit owners has a washer and dryer in his bathroom that drains into the tub. The bylaws prohibit washers and dryers in individual units. The unit owner who reported this […]
Brookline condo owner has no right to rent out bedrooms on Airbnb no matter how much she may love her guests, judge rules (MA)
A federal judge on Friday dismissed a Brookline resident’s efforts to make the town let her rent out rooms in her condo on Airbnb, saying the town zoning board and building department did nothing wrong in concluding she couldn’t. Read the article………………………………….
MassDEP fines condo property owner in Maynard for waste site cleanup violations (MA)
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Protection has fined 63 Great Road Partners, LLC $5,500 for violating state waste site cleanup regulations, which reportedly took place on a property in Maynard, MasssDEP announced Friday. Read the article……………………………………
‘People Didn’t Want To Leave’: Firefighters Battle Massive Fire At Boxboro Condo Complex (MA)
Dozens of people have been displaced by a massive fire at a condo building in Boxboro. As firefighters poured water on the smoldering brick shell on Swanson Road, one longtime resident stood nearby in shock. “I’ve lived there for 45 years, so there’s a lot of memories there,” one woman said. It was just after […]
100 Residents Displaced By Fire in Harvard Square Condo (MA)
Roughly 100 Cambridge residents fled their homes last week, forced out by a fire originating on the third floor of a condominium in Harvard Square that spread throughout the building. Read the article……………………………………….
Crews called to fire at West Springfield condominium (MA)
Crews were called to a fire at a condominium complex in West Springfield Friday night. Fire officials have not released any information yet, but a 22News crew in the area is reported the fire was put out. At 8 p.m., crews were still on site making sure the fire has been fully extinguished.
Developer seeks to stop flooding at Drake’s Landing (MA)
Developer Chip Hall believes he has a solution to resolve flooding near the entrance to his Drake’s Landing subdivision off Main Street. The fix would require pulling up the first 50 feet of pavement on his new road, Daley Drive, and doing some light subgrading underneath — something Hall said he is willing to do […]
Black Lives Matter Sign Dispute Prompts Complaint Against Summerwood Condominiums (MA)
Residents of the Summerwood Condominiums in Mashpee have filed a civil complaint against the condominium’s board of trustees, alleging unlawful discrimination based on race related to $440 in fines issued for display of a Black Lives Matter sign.Read the article…………………………………