Learn about question 7 on this year's MA ballot, and some fun local events

October 19th, 2026

Question 7 aims to change Mass. zoning law to build more single-family homes

Of the nine ballot questions this fall, one measure attempts to address this stubborn issue. Question 7 aims to make it easier to build single-family homes on small plots of land by overriding local zoning rules.

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Marshfield loses appeal against MBTA Communities Act

The Supreme Judicial Court’s Friday order upheld a lower court’s dismissal of Marshfield’s complaint that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Communities Act represents an unfunded mandate in violation of state law and that it violates the voting rights of its own residents which have rejected the requirement.

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A Boston homeowner won a land case through an obscure doctrine. What’s ‘adverse possession?’

Adverse possession allows “a person to claim a property right in land owned by another,” according to Trial Court Law Libraries. In Massachusetts, someone needs to prove an “actual, open, exclusive, and adverse possession of the land” over a period of at least 20 years, according to an 1853 ruling.

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LOCAL EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK

North Andover Witchcraft History

Saturday Oct. 24th from 11am - 1pm

Everyone has heard of the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials but they may not realize that it is named after Salem because that is where the court was located and where people were hanged. But the trials encompassed nearly all the towns in northeastern Massachusetts. Andover, about 20 miles northwest of Salem, had 45 accusations of witchcraft that was more than any other community. The town had a population of 600 people and half of them were involved in the trials as an accuser or an accused.

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Farmer's

Market

Friday's from 10am - 4pm

The Farmer's Market is returning to the front lawn on Fridays!

All the farmers accept SNAP EBT/food stamps, debit, credit, and cash; GWL (Groundwork Lawrence) market coupons, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and senior farmers market coupons are also welcome.

Any interested vendors must contact Groundwork Lawrence: https://groundworklawrence.org/contact/

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Mass. named best state to raise a family — again

Drawing on data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, TripAdvisor, and others, the study found the Bay State continues to outperform the nation on factors the ranking says matter most to families.

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Devito Law Offices is Here to Help

We know that legal matters can be overwhelming. When you work with DeVito Law, you can rest assured that you are in experienced hands. Our background encompasses years of practice in real estate transactions, wills, trusts and estate planning, and business and civil litigation. We will guide you through the legal process, taking the time to explain legal matters in language that is easy to understand. You will receive prompt, courteous, and thorough communication throughout the process.

DeVito Law Offices was founded by Antonietta DeVito in 2007. When you enlist our services, you will receive the personal attention and twenty years of experience of Ms. DeVito in all your legal matters. DeVito Law Offices is based in Andover and North Andover Massachusetts and serves the greater Boston communities of Billerica, Chelmsford, Lawrence, Lowell, Middleton, Reading, and Wilmington, as well as the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts.

Attorney Antonietta Devito

ph: 978.688.4600 or via email: adevito@devitolawoffices.com