John LaBelle

Please share with your friends, family, and neighbors.

www.BillericaPowerPlant.org

10 February 2010

Greetings with good news for the New Year!

As you may have heard, the investors in the Billerica power plant have abandoned the project. Montgomery Energy Billerica Power Partners of Magnolia, Texas and their local agent, DG Clean Power, announced on February 3, 2010 that they no longer have an interest in the project.

This is a significant development for the communities near the proposed site in Billerica, but there are also implications for other projects in the state. Questions of financial viability are again being raised relative to the proposed Brockton power plant, the Westfield power plant, and the Russell biomass wood-burning power plant. The numbers have never borne out the need for this additional power and it appears the market is now confirming this reality.

Thank you to the many citizens who shared their concern by writing emails, attending meetings, contacting legislators, distributing flyers, and just raising general awareness of this issue in so many communities. Thank you to our legislative delegations as well. We hope you will continue to follow the power plant projects still underway, and we will keep you informed should another, similar issue surface.

If you would like to subscribe for periodic e-mail updates, please visit: info@billericapowerplant.org.

Although the number of sales declined slightly for the second straight year, sales data for the Town of Chelmsford indicates values have stabilized over the past 12 months.

The town continues to be attractive to first time buyers, and demand for Ranch and Split Entry style homes has remained fairly stable over the last 2 years thanks to near historic low interest rates and the First Time Buyer Tax Credit. In 2008 there were 92 sales of Ranch and Split Entry style homes in town (37.8% of all single family sales), and there were 88 in 2009 (39.6% of all single family sales). Values of Ranch and Split Entry style homes have also shown signs of stabilization over the past 12 months.

Effective January 1, 2010, a new regulation relating to the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors will take effect in Massachusetts. While this information is intended to give you a basic understanding of the change, if you have any questions regarding this regulation please check with your local fire department.

There are currently two primary detection methods in use in modern smoke detectors: photoelectric and ionization. Ionization detectors typically have a constant current running between two electrodes and when smoke interrupts the current, the alarm sounds. Unfortunately, ionization detectors are prone to false alarms in areas near kitchens and bathrooms as they cannot differentiate between smoke and steam. Photoelectric detectors emit a beam of light, and smoke passing the path of the beam causes some light to scatter and directs the light at a sensor which triggers the alarm. Photoelectric detectors have been found to be less sensitive to false alarms caused by steam, but can take longer than ionization detectors to alert.

The new regulations passed by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulation does not change the locations where smoke detectors are required, however, it does require the installation of both types of detectors in certain locations. A copy of the new regulation (527 CMR 32.00) can be found on this link: http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dfs/osfm/cmr/cmr_secured/527032.pdf

Under the new regulation, a smoke detector utilizing both technologies is required in all previously required locations, except within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. Compliance can be achieved by installing two separate detectors using these technologies, or by installing one detector which uses both technologies. Within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower, only a photoelectric smoke detector is allowed and an ionization detector is prohibited due to their tendency to be set off by steam.

WHAT PROPERTIES ARE AFFECTED BY THE NEW REGULATION?

Determining whether a specific property is affected by the new regulation requires a case-by-case analysis and, therefore, property owners are encouraged to consult with legal counsel to determine the specific requirements for their property. That being said, the new regulations apply if: (a) the building is under 70 feet tall; AND (b) contains less than 6 residential units; AND (c) has not been substantially altered since January 1, 1975. If your building fits all three of these conditions, the new law likely applies to you. If your property does not fit all of these categories, then the new law does not apply to you since your property is already subject to the more strict state law. In other words, for buildings taller than 70 feet, larger than 6 apartments, or which have been substantially altered since January 1, 1975, your property was already subject to a higher standard in relation to fire safety equipment, and therefore these new regulations do not apply. Finally, for those properties which are affected by these new regulations, compliance is mandated by January 1, 2010.

For additional information on smoke alarm and home safety, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=8&L0=Home&L1=Public+Safety+Agencies&L2=Massachusetts+Department+of+Fire+Services&L3=Department+of+Fire+Services&L4=Office+of+the+State+Fire+Marshal&L5=Public+Education&L6=Fire+Safety+Topics&L7=FS+Topics&sid=Eeops&b=terminalcontent&f=dfs_osfm_pubed_firesafetytopics_smokealarm&csid=Eeops

Have you ever driven by a For Sale sign and wished you could get information on the home without talking to a sales agent? The NEW RE/MAX Prestige Curbside Connection program allows you to get the info you're looking for on ANY residential home listing before you drive away without speaking to an agent if you don't want to! Just call the number at any time 24/7.

How it works:

You'll be prompted to enter the address, and then you'll be able to listen to current information on ANY listing on the market by ANY agency. There is even an option to get an estimated monthly mortgage payment, and you can be connected to me if you'd prefer. This system also will email you the current listing sheet, and there is an option to receive the information by text.

To activate your Curbside Connection Account, send me an email today!

This service is currently active for MA, and we are working on getting it up and running for NH.

Has the cold weather caused your heating bills to rise?

If you are an NSTAR customer, there are rebates available to help reduce your total cost in making your home more energy efficient.

Was your home built before 1960? If so, there is a good chance your exterior walls are not insulated. If you are an NSAR customer and you are thinking about adding wall insulation, attic insulation or air sealing to your home you might be eligible for rebates up to $2,000 from NSTAR for these home upgrades.

Thinking about replacing your windows? NSTAR has a replacement window rebate program. Replacement windows can lower your annual heating costs by up to 15 percent and NSTAR gas heating customers are also eligible for a $10 rebate on every window replaced with an ENERGY STAR-labeled window with a U-factor of .35 or less.

For more information check out NSTAR's website at: http://www.nstaronline.com/residential/energy_efficiency/gas_programs/

Not an NSTAR customer? Don't worry, there are other options for you.

Did you know FHA and Fannie Mae have Energy Efficient Mortgages which allow homebuyers to incorporate the cost of eneregy efficient improvements. For more information, click on this link: http://www.greenmadesimple.com/incentives/search?cat[Insulation]=on&zip=&city=&state=&latitude=true

For more Massachusetts Rebates for Energy Efficiency, visit: http://www.goodtobegreen.com/ma_energy_rebate.aspx and http://www.masssave.com/