THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 27, 2024 Page 19 Homestead Exemption Increase T his past August, our State Legislature passed Session Law 2024, Chapter 150, Section 51, An Act relative to the Aff ordable Homes Act. Contained within this legislation was an increase in the homestead exemption from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for all Massachusetts homeowners. The prices of homes have increased so much over the past several years, this type of legislation was certainly warranted. This increase in the exemption applies retroactively to any valid homestead that a homeowner has already declared and recorded at the appropriate registry of deeds. There is no need to declare and record another homestead to take advantage of the new $1,000,000 exemption. Under the current law, your principal residence that you own is automatically protected up to $125,000. It would have been nice if the legislature simply made the automatic homestead $1,000,000. The $125,000 exemption is simply too small with the prices of homes in Massachusetts. A primary residence also includes a manufactured home and a mobile home. Refi nancing your mortgage will not terminate your homestead exemption. Furthermore, since 2011, homeowners are able to declare a homestead even if they place their home in a Trust. There is a separate Declaration of Homestead form designed for Trusts. A Declaration of Homestead also protects the sales proceeds upon the sale of your home for up to one year after the date of sale, or on the date when a new Mass. Medical Society urges vaccines against three major respiratory viruses P hysicians from the Massachusetts Medical Society advise patients in the Commonwealth to schedule time with their health care provider to learn more about receiving vaccines against three major respiratory viruses: infl uenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. Patients should receive these vaccines before the end of October for the best protection ahead of the peak virus season. The U.S. Centers for Disease home is purchased with the net sales proceeds, whichever occurs fi rst. If your home is destroyed by fi re, the insurance proceeds are protected for a period of two years after the date of the fi re or on the date when your home is reconstructed, or a new home is purchased, whichever is earlier. The homestead is designed to protect the equity in your home against creditors or lawsuits of any nature. Federal, state and local tax liens are not protected by the homestead. Neither are you protected in the event you default on a mortgage secured by your home, or against a lien by MassHealth’s estate recovery unit seeking reimbursement for Medicaid payments made on behalf of the homeowner. Child support and spousal support orders issued by a Probate Court are also not protected by the Declaration of Homestead. If a married couple are both age 62 or more, the elderly homestead protection then increases to $2,000,000. That represents excellent protection for the home. Every homeowner in Massachusetts has to declare a homestead and record it at the registry of deeds. The protection is invaluable. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 Mon.Sept. 16 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Tues. Sept. 17 No House session No Senate session Wed.Sept. 18 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Sept .19 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:17 p.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 1:25 p.m. Fri.Sept. 20 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals over six months old receive an annual fl u vaccine. The fl u can cause serious illness and death. Preliminary CDC data indicates that up to 830,000 hospitalizations and approximately 25,00072,000 deaths were caused by the flu during the 2023-2024 season. There is potential for RSV to be extremely dangerous to those over 75, those 60 and over with underlying chronic health conditions, infants and young children. The CDC recommends that these populations receive an RSV vaccine. There are multiple options for COVID-19 vaccines, which are recommended for all individuals over six months old. A discussion with your health care provider can help determine the best vaccine for each individual. These respiratory diseases are contagious and can result in severe health consequences, so it is important to consider safe and eff ective vaccines to protect yourself and those with whom you live, learn, work and socialize. In addition to vaccinations, basic preventive measures – like physical distancing when you are ill, wearing a mask if you are sick and must be around others, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing – can help reduce the community spread and severity of transmissible respiratory diseases. If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, the Massachusetts Medical Society encourages you to speak with your trusted health care provider. LEGAL NOTICE City of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 FACEBOOK.COM/ ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Public Hearing on an application by Gabriel Kachuba E. Silva and Gabriella Silva Property located at: 19 Paris Street Site Plan Review In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A and with Sections19 and 21 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 6:00PM in the Speaker George Keverian Room (Room 37, Everett City Hall) to consider the above-listed application for Site Plan Review. This proposal is for the redevelopment of a 7,033 square foot site, presently occupied by a two-family, 2.5-story residential structure, which would be razed to construct a four-story building with five (5) attached townhouses, all of which are proposed as 3-Bedroom units. The lot would also accommodate a separated garage structure. In total, the parcel would contain ten (10) parking spaces for the residents of the project – five (5) enclosed in the garage and five (5) exterior spaces. 19 Paris Street is a parcel of land referenced by Assessor’s Department as K0-08-000006. A copy of the application and plans are on file and available in the Office of the City Clerk and the Department of Planning and Development, both located at City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 and can be inspected online anytime at: http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/Planning-Board and/or by request during regular City Hall business hours by contacting The Planning and Development Office at 617-394-2334. All persons interested in or wishing to be heard on the applications may attend and participate in person. This project, along with all other projects to be discussed at the meeting, can be found on the posted Agenda at the following link: http://www.cityofeverett.com/AgendaCenter. Questions and comments can be directed in advance of the public hearing to Matt Lattanzi of the Department of Planning & Development at Matt.Lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2230. Frederick Cafasso Chairman September 20, 27, 2024
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