Writing about Lancaster, Massachusetts

  The Capital Group's "Master Plan" specifically promised the town these parcels would become a "34,000 square foot industrial building" and "7,300 square foot retail building" if new zoning was approved.   It seems that will join the growing list of broken promises, as the actual owner of the properties has placed them on the market.    Because the 40R district was approved, one of the is now eligible for by-right high density housing at more than 20 units/acre: Cadette & Nadreau, the actual owners, were not party to the "Memorandum of Agreement."

  Generated by DALL-E 2 ai At the Tax Hearing on Monday the Lancaster Select Board reviewed estimates that would levy $24,076,641 for FY2024 -- $340K more than the FY24 budget implied in May.  This is a substantial increase in the levy, and will bring Lancaster within $7K of it's new levy limit despite a $1.2 million levy limit override.

Dickinson turned on a resident during a formal hearing to quote the villain in "Gladiator."    Rule of thumb: if you're angry and find yourself about to quote a villain...count to twenty.

  If you've received a real estate tax bill in Lancaster, you've seen a box at the top:  "VOLUNTARY CHECK OFF FOR CONTRIBUTION TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED."    And if you're like me, you've never heard another word about this fund and have no idea what it is does. 

  Adobe Firefly AI:  "Illustration of a leaking heating oil tank in a basement" Have you been thinking about adding coverage for a heating oil leak to your homeowners policy?   I went through the process this fall and wrote up my experience.  If you've been wondering what you'll need or what it will cost, maybe this will help you.