Summer Street Address Returns from Limbo

A summer day reception on Summer Street Monday afternoon was all business but also rich in emotions. The occasion was a celebration of a success story for a single family home on the street with a complicated and unhappy history that has now come back from the brink to house a family of three. The event was sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Roy.

On land acquired by the Metacomet Land Trust nearly 35 years ago from Garelick, the group erected a two-story single family home, intended to meet the community’s need for affordable housing. But, as summarized by Roy, who has been part of the comeback story, a series of missteps including an improper mortgage, a bank failure, and multiple foreclosures put the property into a legal limbo, leaving it unoccupied and subject to significant vandalism for nearly two decades.

Ultimately, with political help from Roy, Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Senator Ed Markey the worst of the red tape tying up the property was finally unraveled opening the door for the Bank of America to move the house and land under the stewardship of the town of Franklin Housing Authority.

Present at the ceremony were three long-time activists from Metacomet Land Trust, who have shared in efforts to bring the property back, namely Lisa Mosczynski, Susan Speers, and Larry Rettman. Roy introduced Maurice Coleman, Senior Vice President at Bank of America, who echoed Roy’s remarks about the vital importance of housing initiatives for individuals and for communities.

Coleman later welcomed Franklin Housing Authority Chair, George Danello, who noted the sharp increase in demand for housing since he first came on the board nearly 30 years ago.

“When I started, our local waiting list was about 40-50 and now it is over 450,” he said.

Indeed, the total lists of those eligible for such housing in Franklin (including those from across the state who have applied for consideration) now tops 24,000, according to Housing Director Lisa Audette.

Below, Bank of America's Maurice Coleman welcomes 

Franklin Housing Authority's George Danello to the lectern.