What Are Locals Asking About in Amesbury MA, Andover MA and Nearby Towns This Week?
The quick answer: This week, Amesbury MA approved the Rocky Hill site plan for 381 homes. The Andover MA Select Board backed 334 apartments at Minuteman Park. North Andover MA held its tax split hearing, Haverhill MA turned down three townhouses, and Salem NH raised its tax break for owners 65 and up.
Locals are asking what happened with the 381 new homes on Elm Street, the 334 apartments at Minuteman Park and the vote on next year's tax bills.
You hear about it at the coffee shop or in a Facebook group. Someone says a big project got approved. Someone else says taxes are going up. Nobody has the full story, and you feel a little uneasy.
If you own a home here or hope to buy one, you aren't alone in wanting the plain answer. So each week I read the town boards and local news for you. Here's what happened, what it means and what to watch next.
Town meetings don't make headlines until they change your street. This is where you hear it first.
In this guide
What did the towns decide this week?
Amesbury MA: What happened with Rocky Hill on Elm Street?
The Planning Board said yes to the Rocky Hill site plan on Elm Street on October 26. The vote was 5 to 1, per the project record. You'd see 381 homes on about 65 acres. 85 would be for sale. Some are single family homes and some are two to four units. 296 would be rentals. The builder says 10% will be affordable.
It isn't done yet. The board takes up the rest on November 9. You can follow it on the city's Planning Board projects page.
Andover MA: Are the Minuteman Park apartments approved?
Not yet. The Select Board voted 4 to 1 to back 334 apartments at 300 Minuteman Park. Andover MA News reported it on October 27. 84 of them would be affordable. You'd see three buildings on about 20 acres.
This vote just sends the plan to the state. It still needs state review and a permit from the zoning board. The Conservation Commission has to sign off too. Only then can it be built.
North Andover MA: When will I know my new tax bill?
The Select Board held a public hearing on November 2 on next year's tax bill. The board picks how the bill is split between homes and businesses. That choice shapes what you pay. Watch for the new rate in the town newsbrief. You can watch town meetings on the town's TV channel.
Haverhill MA: Why were the Marshland Street townhouses turned down?
The City Council voted 8 to 1 on October 20 to deny a special permit for three townhouses at 27 Marshland Street, NewsLink reported. Neighbors worried about winter parking, water runoff and losing old trees. Councilors said a two-family home is allowed there. You don't need a special permit for that. Council meetings post on Haverhill MA Community TV.
Salem NH: Did my tax break change after the revaluation?
Yes, if you're 65 or older. On October 19, the Town Council raised the elderly exemption. A revaluation is when the town updates every home's value. The raise keeps your tax break about where it was, per the Town of Salem NH. It's now $161,000 off your assessed value at ages 65 to 74, $241,000 at 75 to 79 and $330,000 at 80 and up.
Also on the town's news page: Parkland Medical Center broke ground on a new Salem NH emergency room on October 27.
Boxford MA: What's happening with the old library building?
The Select Board wants your opinion, The Town Common reported. One idea is to take down the old library building at 188 Washington Street and sell the land. Another is to lease the former Council on Aging building. Nothing is decided. Take the town survey by November 16. The board talks about the results on November 23.
Georgetown MA: Is the town changing how it's run?
It's a first step. The Select Board voted to start forming a Charter Committee, The Town Common reported. A charter is the rulebook for how a town is run. The idea would end most elected town jobs. You'd still elect the Select Board and School Committee.
Does new housing nearby change what my home is worth?
It can change how buyers shop for your home. More homes nearby gives them more choices. So how your home looks and feels on day one matters more for you.
New homes take years to build, though. Rocky Hill and Minuteman Park both have steps left. If you're selling this year, the homes for sale near you today matter more to you than a plan on paper. Our Amesbury MA market update and Andover MA market update show this month's numbers.
Will these decisions change my tax bill?
Some will. North Andover MA sets how the tax bill is split this fall. Salem NH bills come in December after the revaluation. If you're 65 or older in Salem NH, check that your exemption is on file.
Want the full picture for your town? Our North Andover MA schools and taxes guide and Salem NH schools and taxes guide break it down.
What should you watch next?
- November 9: Amesbury MA Planning Board on the Rocky Hill subdivision.
- November 16: Boxford MA survey closes.
- November 23: Boxford MA Select Board talks about the survey.
- This fall: the new North Andover MA tax rate.
- December: Salem NH tax bills with new values.
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About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty. The Lisa Sevajian Group is licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Home, for me, is here
This is home for me. I grew up north of Boston. I raised my two daughters here as a single mom while I built my business. When they were little, they hosted open houses with me.
We lived at Mill Pond in North Andover MA. I hiked Weir Hill with my dogs. I launched my kayak on the pond. A lot of my mornings started at Good Day Cafe.
So when you ask me about a town, you get more than numbers. Ask me about a school, a street or your commute, and you get someone who has lived it. If you're making a move here, you won't make it alone.
Lisa is an expert negotiator and we were able to get everything that we wanted for our offer.
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Questions people ask
What was approved for Rocky Hill in Amesbury MA?
The Amesbury MA Planning Board approved the Rocky Hill site plan on Elm Street on October 26, 2026, by a 5 to 1 vote. The subdivision piece comes back on November 9.
How many homes are planned at Rocky Hill in Amesbury MA?
381 homes on about 65 acres. 85 would be for sale and 296 would be rentals. The developer says 10% will be affordable.
Are the Minuteman Park apartments approved in Andover MA?
Not yet. The Andover MA Select Board voted 4 to 1 to back the plan for 334 apartments at 300 Minuteman Park. It still needs state review and a Zoning Board of Appeals permit.
How many affordable units are in the Minuteman Park plan in Andover MA?
84 of the 334 apartments would be affordable, Andover MA News reported on October 27, 2026.
When will North Andover MA set its new tax rate?
The North Andover MA Select Board held its tax split hearing on November 2, 2026. Watch the town newsbrief for the new rate this fall.
Why did Haverhill MA turn down the Marshland Street townhouses?
The Haverhill MA City Council voted 8 to 1 against three townhouses at 27 Marshland Street. Neighbors raised parking, runoff and losing old trees.
What's the elderly exemption in Salem NH for 2026?
$161,000 off your assessed value at ages 65 to 74, $241,000 at 75 to 79 and $330,000 at 80 and up. The Salem NH Town Council raised them on October 19, 2026.
Is Parkland Medical Center building a new ER in Salem NH?
Yes. Parkland Medical Center broke ground on a new Salem NH emergency room on October 27, 2026, per the Town of Salem NH.
What's happening with the old library building in Boxford MA?
The Boxford MA Select Board is asking you whether to take down the building and sell the land. The survey closes November 16, 2026.
Is Georgetown MA changing its form of government?
It's a first step. The Georgetown MA Select Board voted to start forming a Charter Committee. Nothing has changed yet.
Does new housing nearby lower my home's value?
Not on its own. More homes nearby gives buyers more choices, so how your home looks and is priced matters more. New homes also take years to build.
How often is Locals Want to Know updated?
Every week. Each update covers what town boards in Northern MA and Southern NH decided and what it means for owners and buyers.
Sources
- Amesbury MA, Rocky Hill / 265 to 287 Elm Street site plan review, project record (reported, checked November 5, 2026)
- City of Amesbury MA, Planning Board projects (official)
- Andover MA News, Andover MA Select Board backs 334-unit apartment proposal in 4 to 1 vote, October 27, 2026 (reported)
- Town of North Andover MA, Notice of public hearing, property classification, October 26, 2026 (official)
- Town of North Andover MA, Newsbrief, week of November 2, 2026 (official)
- NewsLink, Haverhill MA City Council rejects three-unit condo project, October 26, 2026 (reported)
- Town of Salem NH, What you missed at the October 19, 2026 Town Council meeting (official)
- Town of Salem NH, Town Hall Times, Parkland Medical Center breaks ground, October 27, 2026 (official)
- The Town Common, Boxford MA invites residents to weigh in on two town-owned properties, November 4, 2026 (reported)
- The Town Common, Georgetown MA Select Board charter discussion, November 4, 2026 (reported)
This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.
I'll guide you home.
Lisa Sevajian