Archive for Gloucester

Tax tip for property owners in Gloucester MA

Rounding up tax info?  It always seems I have most of the information but not all of it…:) The Gloucester MA city site: http://gloucester-ma.gov/ is a great resource to view & gather information on your total property taxes and sewer/water costs (for landlords).  In case you are like me and can’t always find this information easily in my own home, the city website has it all neatly filed in one location. Once you are on the city site:

City of Gloucester Website - Home page

“click” on the tab (left side of page) that says “online services”.  That will bring you to this page:

City of Gloucester Website - Online services page

The property tax records and water/sewer bills can all be accessed by “clicking” on the highlighted type.

The next page will then ask you for your address or parcel ID number.

City of Gloucester address page for online tax records

If you are unfamiliar with your parcel ID number, it can be found in the “assessors” records online , on a tax or water bill or by calling our helpful Gloucester assessors office. Fill in the address and voila the computer does what computers do and you have your annual records in front of you!

East Gloucester Cultural District Approved by the City Council!

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Karen Ristuben describes the East Gloucester Ma 01930 Cultural District concept, boundaries and purpose in the Gloucester Ma arts community.

My favorite parade …

Gloucester MA’s Horribles Parade. Usually the night before the 4th, followed by fireworks. Doesn’ get more patriotic than this.

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Greasy Pole at Fiesta

We caught some video Saturday afternoon: Gloucester’s unique Greasy Pole contest.

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Dogtown anyone?

New off leash for us! Inland and off Cherry St., look for the Dogtown Common sign 100 yards from the Cape Ann Sportsman’s Club. There’s another entrance off Gee Ave. but we’ve yet to use it. Click for map.

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How NOT to stage a house for sale …

I just came from an open house here in Gloucester. Nice property, expensive, great ocean views. But someone forgot to tell the seller that a huge “no no” is displaying any of the following:
  • Clowns
  • Dolls
  • Shrunken heads
  • Stuffed game, birds or pets
  • Guns
  • Any clown, doll, shrunken head or stuffed animal HOLDING a gun.

If you’re selling, it’s a good idea to hire an agent that uses a professional stager. Then take the stager’s advice and remove the things that could turn off a potential buyer. In this market, you can’t afford to offend anyone.

Flag’s up!

I love it when the big flag goes up on the Boulevard. Means “no more snow”. Does anybody know who put’s it up? Is it the city?

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Goose Cove Gardens…the calm before the storm, I mean spring!

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I love to grow things (flowers, vegatables, turfgrass) and will take every opportunity to be surrounded by green things. One of my favorite places (any season) to visit on Cape Ann is Goose Cove Gardens on Gee Ave. in Gloucester.  Barbara and Hilary Dombrowski the owners, operators, founders, ceo, cfo, brains, brawn, field hands…you name it (!) exude their passion for growing plants organically every time I visit.  We have had many a conversation over the fabulous qualities of our locally produced fish fertilizer, Neptunes Harvest to Barbaras own Goose Cove Gardens’ compost tea for plants. This very early spring I paid them a visit and Barbara gave me a tour of just some of what goes on at Goose Cove Gardens long before people like you and I show up to get our annual supply of flowers and vegetables.  When Goose Cove Gardens opens on Saturday, April 16, 2011 the efforts of all their planning and work will be on display for all.  How ever, if you would like a sneak preview…

Gloucester snow farm update and litter rant

So the snow is almost gone. Stagefort Park will soon have it’s parking lot back. If you really want to appreciate how much litter is plowed up with the snow, get up there this week before DPW cleans it up. This crap almost ended up in the ocean. And don’t we FISH in that ocean? Isn’t it important to keep it CLEAN!!!???

Hold on a minute. I feel a rant coming on. I can’t believe how much crap people throw on the ground. And I’ve got to assume most of this is thrown out car windows. . Makes me sick to see all the plastic, cigarette butts, wrappers, empty nips, coffee cups, water bottles, paper bags, plastic bags with dog shit in them, spoons, ice cream cups, and I could go on and on. It’s disgusting. And so preventable. HAVE SOME PRIDE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. USE A TRASH BARREL.

BTW Newell Stadium is just as bad. Does anyone bother to tell the high school kids not to throw their trash on the ground? Or is THAT too much bother, too? End of rant.

For those of you that don’t litter, Mother Nature and I thank you.

Annisquam antique …

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You’ll find some of the oldest housing stock in the country right here on Cape Ann. At some point it’s necessary to bring it up to today’s standards and codes. Our “preferred builder” Don Knowles of the Rocky Neck Associates is an expert from idea to design to implementation.