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Push on at Massachusetts state house for Boston’s real-estate transfer fee

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Push on at Massachusetts state house for Boston’s real-estate transfer fee


The push has begun but once more to get the state to present Boston permission to slap big-dollar real-estate offers with an extra tax — an effort that’s stalled on Beacon Hill in earlier makes an attempt and continues to face opposition from trade teams.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu summited Beacon Hill on Tuesday to testify earlier than the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Income in favor of the home-rule petition that might enable that metropolis to levy a 2% switch tax on offers over $1 million within the metropolis the place renting and shopping for housing each are so costly.

Metropolis officers informed the committee this could increase as much as $100 million a 12 months that might be channeled again into constructing income-restricted housing and assist seniors on fastened incomes keep of their properties. The officers stated that based mostly on 2021 numbers, the charge would hit about 7% of real-estate transactions.

“Housing prices are the number-one problem that residents increase with me and the administration,” Wu stated, flanked by Housing Chief Sheila Dillon and Age Sturdy Commissioner Emily Shea. “Housing costs in Boston’s market are proper the place they had been — and rising.”

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Wu and Dillon sought to downplay the tax-side results, with phrases like “de minimis,” “prime, prime, prime 7%” and “very small charge” being provided up on that entrance. Conversely, they stated $100 million may dramatically increase the town’s capabilities on this entrance.

The Better Boston Actual Property Board and the Massachusetts Affiliation of Realtors, although, confirmed as much as testify in opposition, each occurring the offensive by slamming Boston’s troublesome approval course of that limits the development of recent housing.

“This isn’t a funding downside — that is an affordable-housing-production downside,” Daybreak Ruffini of the Realtors group stated. “Switch taxes will hurt our communities.”

Metropolis Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Kenzie Bok each testified in favor of the petition. Boston state pols Sen. Lydia Edwards and Reps. Brandy Fluker-Oakley and Rob Consalvo all spoke in favor, too.

Edwards, who whereas on the town council was a champion of this petition and the earlier iteration, informed the committee, “You simply gotta give us the chance … We don’t have one other method of producing this sort of cash.” She added that the impact from the tax is “negligible” on manufacturing.

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State Sen. Nick Collins, additionally from Boston, didn’t testify come what may, however as he requested questions of these in attendance he stated he worries about “taking a step within the improper path of tax will increase” and stated the federal government ought to “be spending much more time prioritizing the spending” of present funds, just like the federal aid {dollars} and Neighborhood Preservation Act cash.

The Boston Metropolis council handed this newest home-rule petition, which this time round has an extra give attention to seniors, earlier this 12 months, and Wu signed it.

This isn’t the primary crack at such a charge. Activists had been delighted when former Mayor Marty Walsh signed a earlier model a few years in the past after the council handed it. However the petition, which requires the passage of each homes of the Legislature and the signature of the governor, stagnated within the state home, as home-rule petitions are wont to do there.

State Sen. Adam Hinds, co-chair of the committee, appeared to embrace the proposal, saying it seems to be “efficient at threading that needle” between elevating income and never stifling improvement.

Requested after her testimony, Wu declined to say whether or not she’s optimistic that this time would be the attraction for the proposal.

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“The state has a complete lot of priorities they’re juggling, so I can’t start to know how they’re making the various selections that they need to make,” Wu informed the Herald exterior the listening to.



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Massachusetts

KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Avenue

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KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Avenue


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -On Monday, the Knoxville Fire Department reported responding to a house fire in a bedroom at 1544 Massachusetts Avenue.

According to KFD, when fire crews arrived, officers told them the entire house at the dead end of the street was on fire. Crews successfully extinguished the fire and a small yard fire near the home.

KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Ave(Knoxville Fire Department)

According to KFD, the home suffered significant damage and was a total loss. Officials also report that despite the building having no electricity and being uninhabitable prior to the fire, three people—two females and one male — still managed to illegally live inside the home.

KFD said one female was taken into custody by Knoxville Fire Investigators and charged with aggravated arson.

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According to KFD, no injuries have been reported from the incident.



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Massachusetts woman killed in crash on Route 495 remembered as gifted doll maker and crafter

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Massachusetts woman killed in crash on Route 495 remembered as gifted doll maker and crafter


A woman who was killed in a fatal highway crash on Saturday is being remembered.

According to Massachusetts State Police, at just after 3:15 p.m., State Troopers assigned to the Middleborough Barracks responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 495 southbound in Bridgewater that resulted in the death of passenger in the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling on Interstate 495 when, for reasons still under investigation, it went into the wooded median of the roadway and rolled over. The Malibu’s driver, a 79-year-old Mashpee man, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of the vehicle, 74-year-old Lana Testa of Mashpee, sustained fatal injuries and was determined to be deceased by on scene medical personnel.

Friends say that the driver was Lana’s husband Dave.

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Lana was being remembered for her primitive dolls and craft show creations in addition to her contributions to Primitive Place magazine which led the publication to issue a tribute.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Lana Testa’s passing. Lana has been a dedicated supporter and contributor to A Primitive Place magazine from the very beginning. Her passion and creativity left an indelible mark on our community. As a gifted doll maker, Lana brought joy and inspiration to many through her exclusive creations, each one a testament to her extraordinary talent and meticulous craftsmanship.

“One of the cherished memories we hold dear is the feature in the Fall 2011 issue, where Lana and her husband David’s beautiful home was showcased. The image of one of Lana’s dolls “reading” that very issue stands as a poignant reminder of her contributions and the joy she brought to our readers. Lana’s dolls were more than just artistic pieces; they embodied her spirit, love, and dedication to the primitive arts.

“Lana’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those touched by her work. We extend our deepest condolences to David and the entire Testa family during this difficult time. Lana will be profoundly missed, but her memory will forever be cherished.”

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Services have not yet been announced.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and investigators from the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit. Troopers were assisted by Brockton and Raynham Fire and EMS, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.



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Weather alert for fog in 6 Massachusetts counties until early Monday morning

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Weather alert for fog in 6 Massachusetts counties until early Monday morning


A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Sunday at 4:27 p.m. for fog until Monday at 5 a.m. for Southern Worcester as well as Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.

“The very humid conditions continue overnight, and will lead to more areas of fog. Patchy dense fog is expected, reducing visibility to one quarter mile or less in spots. Travelers should be prepared for rapid drops in visibility. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination safely,” according to the weather service.

Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:

Moderate your speed:

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  • Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

  • Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

  • Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Keep a safe distance:

  • Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

  • To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility protocol:

  • In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.

Limited parking options:

  • If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.



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