PLYMOUTH — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $158 million in low-income housing tax credit and subsidy awards for 14 affordable housing projects across the state. These awards will support the production and preservation of 1,138 affordable units for seniors and families across the state. These awards were made possible in part by the $1 billion tax relief bill signed by Governor Maura Healey in 2023, which raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually, a $20 million increase that allows the state to support more affordable housing production.

“High housing costs are one of the biggest challenges facing Massachusetts residents. Our administration is refusing to kick the can down the road. We need to increase housing production across the state to lower costs – and these affordable housing awards will help us get there,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Because of our tax cuts package, we’re able to give out more funding than ever before, which will directly support the creation of more than 1,000 affordable homes for seniors and families across our state.”

“Every dollar we’re delivering to developers and communities directly translates into new, affordable homes for residents across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s great to be in Plymouth today to see how they are embracing the incredible benefits that new housing brings and delivering a great place to call home for hundreds of seniors. We’re excited to see how these awards will get shovels in ground for Cranberry Commons and housing projects across the state.”

On Thursday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Augustus and local officials visited the Redbrook community in Plymouth, where The Grantham Group will be building Cranberry Commons with the support of one of the awards. When completed, Cranberry Commons will offer 62 total units, all of which will be affordable for seniors.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s is working hard not only to expand affordable housing opportunities across the Commonwealth but also to preserve our rich history through the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings for housing,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “The 14 projects being awarded today represent another strong step forward to drive down housing costs and will foster stronger communities for years to come.”

“The Town of Plymouth appreciates the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ongoing dedication to affordable housing,” said Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi. “This award reinforces the Town’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options for our residents.”

Projects include new senior developments, a deep energy retrofit, and the adaptive reuse of an old mill being converted into housing. A total of 95 percent of units will be affordable to seniors or families earning less than 60 percent of AMI. At least 327 units will be deeply affordable and restricted to individuals or families earning less than 30 percent of AMI.

BOSTON – In honor of National Drinking Water Week, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced today that 45 public water systems, four certified operators, and one childcare center have received awards for their noteworthy performance during 2023. Awardees demonstrated excellent water service to the public, no violations or compliance issues, and efforts that support overall public water supply service.

Among those honored was Agawam Springs Water Company, a subsidiary of the A.D. Makepeace Company which provides water to the residents of Redbrook.

“Water is our most valuable natural resource, and it takes the work of experienced professions to protect it from pollution, promote conservation, and build infrastructure to handle our future needs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “National Drinking Water Week is the perfect time to honor these dedicated water suppliers and professionals who work every day to supply clean, safe, and healthy drinking water to millions of residents across Massachusetts.”

“Clean and sufficient drinking water doesn’t happen by accident. It’s because of the hard work of people like those being recognized today,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “I’m honored to publicly commend these water systems and operators for their exceptional service and distinguished work protecting the health of their communities.”

For 38 years, MassDEP has recognized and awarded exemplary systems that have reached meritorious service for their work during the previous calendar year. Today’s public ceremony honoring the 2024 award recipients was held at the Devens Community Center in Devens, MA.

Read more here.

PLYMOUTH – To celebrate Earth Day 2024, the A.D. Makepeace Companies, in coordination with Sustainable Redbrook, today announced the creation of a Miyawaki Forest at Redbrook. Commonly referred to as a pocket forest or tiny forest, the effort will bring more than 300 native plants to the River Run Way entrance of Redbrook. The forest planted at Redbrook will be the first Miyawaki Forest in the southeastern part of Massachusetts.

The Miyawaki Forest concept focuses on planting biodiverse, native, pocket-sized forests that lead to cooling, increased biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, among other benefits. The forests are typically installed in urban areas, with at least eight already growing or planned in Massachusetts, ranging from 1,100 square feet to 4,300 square feet.

The A.D. Makepeace Company’s Read Custom Soils (RCS) division will partner with the Redbrook Community to use the site as a pilot project for evaluating various types of engineered soils that best help the forests sequester carbon, provide tree canopy, and deliver habitat and environmental benefits. The project will be open to Redbrook residents, interested landscape architects, climate resiliency scientists, and interested members of the public to visit and engage.

Sustainable Redbrook, a group of Redbrook residents, identified the site at the entry to the community as an ideal location to showcase the project.  Members of Sustainable Redbrook and Redbrook staff walked the site and refined the plan.  Their involvement will continue with maintenance and documentation of the forest.

“Something that Redbrook residents have in common is a sophisticated understanding of environmental issues and concern for the planet,” said Dan Gorczyca, project executive for Redbrook. “This will be a great opportunity for all of us to watch the forest grow and be part of its success.”

Site work is expected to begin this spring. The first step is to tree-spade some trees already existing on site, which Project Manager Evan Miller, RLA ASLA, said will be transplanted to the new Redbrook Square property.

Next, two feet of compacted soils at the River Run Way site, home of the Redbrook sales trailer before the Meeting House was constructed, will be removed and replaced with the RCS’s proprietary Miyawaki Forest Planting Soil. The blend includes coarse sand, natural base loam, mature leaf compost, biochar and a mycorrhizal fungi inoculant.  After planting, an additional four to six inches of RCS Miyawaki Forest Floor Layer will be placed over the soil and around the 350 new plantings in the 2,000-square-foot space. Though small at the time of planting, these densely planted young whips simulate the layers of a natural forest and allow for rapid growth of tree species, sub species, shrubs, and groundcover and can help to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years.

“We see this as a way for municipal officials and landscape professionals to see how a Miyawaki Forest could work in their own community,” said Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “In an urban setting, it can mitigate heat islands, provide a habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators, and beautify a neighborhood.”

The tiny forest method thrives best when many native plants are introduced to an area that has been properly prepared, thus allowing the plants to grow quickly, with a canopy layer reaching mature height and shading smaller trees and shrubs. This site will allow visitors to walk through this emerging ecosystem and compare its growth with the neighboring established native pine barrens forest.

“Sustainable Redbrook embraces the Miyawaki tiny forest concept and looks forward to assisting in the installation and maintenance of this exciting project,” the organization said in a prepared statement. “Not only will our Redbrook Pollinator Pathway be further enhanced due to the Miyawaki Forest biodiversity, but this project will also help to create a greener and healthier future for our Redbrook community while providing a warm and inviting welcome for all who visit Redbrook every day.”

The A.D. Makepeace Company is evaluating area sites for another similar installation.

The 169-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is developer of the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.