A developer who for years has left a trail of complaints resulting in multiple suspensions and fines by the state contractor’s registration board continues to do business in Rhode Island – even though he owes the state more than a quarter of a million dollars in personal income taxes. Read the article…………………………….
Deed restriction may frustrate lender’s foreclosure on real estate development (RI)
The redeveloper of the former Memorial Hospital campus in Pawtucket could challenge a lender’s foreclosure on the property based on the alleged invalidity of the mortgage that it defaulted on, a Superior Court judge has found. Defendant Memorial Development LLC took out a $3.5 million mortgage on the property in 2022, which the original lender […]
Residents of condemned condos once again in search of housing (RI)
The former residents of North Providence’s Canterbury Village are once again scrambling to find somewhere to live. Dozens of residents were forced from their homes back in October after the town deemed the building uninhabitable. Read the article…………………………….
Uninsured and without help: Lincoln homeowners struggle to understand private sewer lines (RI)
Seventeen years ago, the town relinquished responsibility for sewer lines in this Lincoln neighborhood, deeming homeowners responsible for them. Now, officials are pinning the blame on developers as residents of the Sableswood North Subdivision search for answers and help on how to maintain uninsurable sewer lines. Read the article……………………………….
Neronha (AG) opens criminal probe of condemned condos’ management company (RI)
The R.I. Attorney General’s office has launched a criminal investigation into the North Providence property management company that has recently come under fire for allowing poor living conditions that led to the city condemning a 56-unit condominium complex and the 24-hour eviction notice sent to its residents. Read the article………………………………..
Mayor: Repairs to condemned condos could begin soon (RI)
Construction on the recently condemned condominiums at North Providence’s Canterbury Village could begin as soon as Thursday, according to Mayor Charles Lombardi. Dozens of residents were forced from their homes Tuesday after the town deemed the building uninhabitable. Read the article……………………………….
North Providence helps residents evicted from condemned condos (RI)
Though numerous residents plan on moving in with friends and family for the time being, others don’t have anywhere else to go. North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi confirmed that the town has provided accommodations for residents in need of assistance. Read the article……………………………………
‘It’s just not feasible’: North Providence residents given eviction notices after town condemns condos (RI)
Dozens of residents living in North Providence’s Canterbury Village have been left scrambling after receiving a 24-hour eviction notice. North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi confirmed that the town’s building inspector and fire department condemned the condominiums due to the deplorable conditions inside. Read the article………………………………..
Ex-Dedham official gets probation for Plainridge Casino jaunts funded by fraud (RI)
A former Dedham tax official has been sentenced to three years’ probation for defrauding a Woonsocket condominium association out of almost $50,000 to pay for personal expenses and gambling trips to Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville. Read the article…………………………………
Residents ask town to reconsider ending private road plowing (RI)
South Kingstown residents at Tuesday’s meeting implored the Town Council during public comment to make “a truly equitable decision” in response to the cancelation of town plowing services on private roads, set to take effect this upcoming winter. Read the article………………………..
SK residents express concern over end to private road plowing (RI)
The South Kingstown Town Council during the public comment portion of its regular meeting on Monday listened to resident perspectives surrounding its decision in January to discontinue road maintenance services for over 70 miles of private road. Read the article………………………..
Ex-Dedham official admits to defrauding RI condo association to finance trips to Plainridge in Plainville (RI)
A now former Dedham town official admitted in federal court Monday to defrauding a Woonsocket condominium association out of almost $50,000 to fund her personal expenses and gambling trips at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville. Read the article………………………..
Why the Ethics Commission found no conflict for lawmaker in Bonnet Shores voting rights fight (RI)
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission has now weighed in on the running battle over Bonnet Shores voting rights, at least to the extent the battle involves a state lawmaker from South Kingstown who owns property within the Bonnet Shores Fire District in Narragansett. Read the article………………………..
Town will discontinue plowing private roads starting in September (RI)
South Kingstown residents who live on the 15 miles of private roads that have previously been plowed and maintained by the town will receive notice later this spring that those plow services will be discontinued on Sept. 1. Read the article………………………..
Homeowners group wants town to plow private roads equally (RI)
A homeowners’ association is asking the town of South Kingstown to either stop snow plowing private roads at taxpayers’ expense under what’s called “tradition” or plow all private roads in town. Read the article………………………..
New group will advocate for neighborhoods (RI)
We read the letter in The Westerly Sun by Donald Lockard with sadness and empathy (“Setting Sun residents at a loss over parking vote,” Dec. 20). Mr. Lockard described that his neighborhood’s request for no parking along Setting Sun Drive was not successful despite having a petition signed by 35 of 54 of his neighbors. […]
Resident Challenges Buttonwood Beach Association’s Right to Withhold Records (RI)
A prominent resident and shoreline activist is charging the Buttonwoods Beach Association with violating the state’s open records law over documents related to a traffic stop in 2019. Read the article………………………..
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……………………………….
Judge rules against Bonnet Shores in fire district voting rights case (RI)
Like many waterfront fire districts in Rhode Island, the Bonnet Shores Fire District does not fight fires. That service, and policing, are provided by the town of Narragansett. The fire district operates like a private homeowners association or beach club with the state-sanctioned power to levy taxes. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘It doesn’t seem fair’: In shoreline fire districts, taxes buy residents ‘beach club’ perks and exclusivity (RI)
In South County, several shoreline fire districts bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes and other revenue annually but spend much of it on expenses more in line with a private beach club, not a fire department. That has drawn the ire of beachgoers who are being blocked from the shore. Read […]
Top RI Realtor Says Condo Owners and Associations Need Vigilance – New Focus After Miami Tragedy
Sarah Huard, one of the top realtors in Rhode Island, says the condo industry should expect to see far more scrutiny in light of the recent tragedy in Florida. “I think now, just watching Florida, how now that within forty days now, condo associations have to be looked at and inspected. You can’t help but […]
Dedham elected official accused of stealing thousands in Rhode Island condo fees (MA/RI)
The vice chair of the Town of Dedham’s Board of Assessors is under investigation, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a Rhode Island condo association. Read the article……………………………
Rubbish removal from residential condominium units (RI)
First: let’s be clear – residential condominium units are single-family residences. Like a single-family detached house, they can be eligible for a 25% Homestead exemption as an owner-occupied single family residence. Unlike single-family detached residences, single-family condominiums are “excluded” from receiving municipal rubbish collection. Read the article……………………..
Condo owners looking for relief from fees (RI)
What if you had to pay for a municipal service that you weren’t receiving? That’s the question condo owners in both Woonsocket and North Smithfield are raising as it relates to their trash pickup, or rather, lack of it. Read the article………………………….
Superior Court Appoints Special Master for Condominium Association Led by Newport Businessman (RI)
Newport Superior Court Judge and former RI Lt. Governor Richard Licht has appointed a Special Master for the 10 Brown & Howard Wharf Condominium Association. Newport businessman Johannes Flo, a Norwegian national who was the subject of a major exposé by the Norwegian publication VG, and who has a significant ownership interest in the Bard […]
Mezuzah restrictions, anti-Semitism, and the definition of a doorpost
Did you know that some condominium associations may have the right to keep a homeowner from posting a mezuzah at the doorway entrance? It happened to Barbara Cadranel of Stratford, CT. In 2012, she received a stern letter from her condo association demanding that she remove the mezuzah from her doorpost or pay a fine […]
The 2014 Legislative Agenda in New England
The old saying that the only sure things in life are death and taxes leaves out a third certainty: legislation. Across New England each year, thousands of bills get filed in state legislatures, many of them as mundane as the naming of a bridge or a new state “something”—like designating the Fluffernutter as Massachusetts’ official […]