Christopher Vaccaro
Special To Banker & TradesmanChristopher R. Vaccaro is a partner at Dalton & Finegold in Andover.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Jun 28, 2020
What do Richard Nixon, Gloria Vanderbilt, Madonna, Billy Joel and Calvin Klein all have in common? They are among many noteworthy personages who were rejected when seeking to buy into cooperative housing projects.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | May 24, 2020
Since Gov. Charlie Baker declared the COVID-19 emergency on March 10, recent legislation and court orders have effectively suspended eviction actions in Massachusetts.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Apr 26, 2020
Commercial leases usually include “force majeure” clauses that excuse parties from performing non-monetary obligations during national disasters or civil unrest. But these generally offer no relief from tenant rent obligations.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Mar 29, 2020
Would you have any recourse if you win a money judgement against a business whose owner quickly files for bankruptcy and starts a new business under a similar name, using the same assets to provide the same services to the same customers?
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Feb 23, 2020
A tough problem faced by a New Bedford beef jerkey manufacturer shows courts will enforce contracts formed by email, but only if certain conditions are met.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Jan 26, 2020
Real estate investors should pay special attention to downtown areas of Brockton, Fitchburg, Lowell, Lynn and Worcester, where overlapping HD zones and Opportunity Zones are within walking distance of commuter rail stations.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Dec 29, 2019
For more highly leveraged projects, some lenders offer “participating loans,” where borrowers pay additional interest tied to cash flow or appreciation. What do you need to know about them?
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Nov 24, 2019
“Not in my backyard” could be the state motto in Massachusetts, where major real estate developments routinely endure costly legal challenges. The Chiofaro Co.’s proposed 600-foot mixed-use tower at the Harbor Garage site near the New England Aquarium in Boston is an example.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Oct 27, 2019
Behavioral health programs enjoyed a victory in a case before the Supreme Judicial Court that ruled a McLean Hospital program was protected under the Dover Amendment.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Sep 29, 2019
According to DCHD records, 42 cities and towns have now adopted smart growth zoning, covering over 2,300 acres which can accommodate 22,213 dwelling units. But so far only about 3,750 dwelling units have been built or permitted, an increase of about 1,250 units since 2014.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Aug 25, 2019
Scientists, politicians and pundits warn us daily about the dangers of climate change and our over-reliance on fossil fuels. But when energy firms propose offshore wind turbine projects in the United States, lobbyists and regulatory agencies often hinder them.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Jul 28, 2019
Why should property owners care about a legal dispute involving a local ordinance in rural Pennsylvania requiring that cemeteries on private property be open to the general public? Because last month the U.S. Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking decision about this dispute that will have broad ramifications.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Jun 23, 2019
A failed wet sprinkler system in a South Boston luxury apartment building spawned a case showing courts are unlikely to entertain buyers’ suits against sellers for defects discovered after closing.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | May 26, 2019
While the Boston market holds interest for co-living project operators, the city presents challenges from a regulatory perspective. Boston’s zoning code is complicated, with many neighborhoods, in effect, having their own zoning ordinances.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Apr 28, 2019
By neglecting to raise a key, compelling point in Land Court, a Dorchester landlord may have lost a case it could have otherwise won.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Mar 24, 2019
A recent Falmouth case shows property owners face big odds if they try to bring a lawsuit over a “regulatory taking.”
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Feb 24, 2019
There is exciting news to report on the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, which delivered a basket of goodies to taxpayers.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Jan 27, 2019
In addition to excellent highway access, Brockton has three Commuter Rail stations, offering 30-minute trips to Boston’s South Station. Yet despite these amenities, economic success has been elusive. There are signs that this will change.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Nov 25, 2018
McLean Hospital is a nonprofit psychiatric hospital and research facility based in Belmont with a stellar reputation in the mental health industry.
by Christopher R. Vaccaro | Oct 26, 2018
Cummings Properties operates over 10 million square feet of well-maintained commercial real estate in desirable locations throughout Boston’s suburbs. Cummings is also an exemplary corporate citizen.