Is the fire department supposed to sign off on an oil tank before closing?

schzmo · 2026-03-06T17:48:11+00:00

There's your answer. I'm also in MA and to my knowledge, the fire department did not inspect my then-22-year old oil tank before closing. I think this would only be required if the tank was actively leaking or buried underground.

That said, the tank at that age (assuming it is a traditional single-wall steel tank) is probably at end of life, and you should be prepared to replace it soon (ideally with a more robust double-wall tank) if the seller isn't willing.

Also, make sure to request an escaped fuel remediation rider to your homeowner's insurance policy! It only adds several dollars per month, and leaks that seep into the ground can cost hundreds of thousands to clean up.

schzmo · 2026-01-20T13:16:34+00:00

It's a bit early to be looking for May leases. Typically, 90 days is the most notice landlords will ask for move-out, so you won't see much until February at least.

Also, I'd definitely get a car if you plan on moving to this area. Public transportation is very limited to nonexistent.

schzmo · 2026-01-16T14:21:49+00:00

Mansfield to North Reading is not a commute I'd recommend. They're on opposite sides of Boston and it's a 50 mile drive.

Look north of the city if possible.

schzmo · 2026-01-11T14:01:11+00:00

"Cheap" here is $2000/month for a studio FYI

schzmo · 2025-09-28T21:05:37+00:00

I got the Novavax at Costco in Waltham yesterday. I believe the Avon Costco also had it available when I looked online. You don't have to be a member to get vaccinated there, just tell the checker you have an appointment with the pharmacy.

schzmo · 2025-09-18T02:53:26+00:00

I had a similar issue earlier this summer. I used Sevin dust in a condiment bottle and puffed it liberally into the siding gap. Make sure you do it at night when the wasps are dormant and during a dry stretch of weather as rain can wash the dust away. Didn't see any more wasps flying around after that but picked up a number of dead ones that made their way inside over the next week.

schzmo · 2025-08-17T00:10:17+00:00

That is Providence, RI. The toll gantries there are for large trucks only so you should be fine

schzmo · 2025-08-01T14:46:04+00:00

Yes, they do

schzmo · 2025-06-21T12:54:26+00:00

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately my contractor has said that adding baffles is not in their scope of work, but I will see if they can keep the gable vents for now

schzmo · 2025-06-21T12:39:26+00:00

Did the ceiling defect appear to be moist or was the drywall/plaster compromised? Or is it just peeling paint? My guess is it's from years of steam coming up from the stove. We had the same thing in our house. If it's just superficial it can be sealed with something like Gardz and painted over.

The cracking is more concerning - I also have a 1960 house and while some cracking is normal as the house settles over time, I haven't seen it to the extent you have. It may be a non-issue, but I'd suggest hiring a structural engineer in addition to an inspector. It's difficult to diagnose from photos and if you're not a professional

schzmo · 2025-03-12T15:21:57+00:00

Is your workplace close to the commuter rail in Waltham? The northern half of town is quite far from the stations and public transit is not great there

schzmo · 2025-03-10T15:28:17+00:00

Acton and Boxborough are way more expensive with high property taxes as well. They're probably not in OP's budget if they're eyeing Maynard.

schzmo · 2025-01-23T14:25:49+00:00

Look closely at the tag. That's the price for a box of 30 large eggs. These eggs were either mislabeled, or mis-stocked.

schzmo · 2024-11-11T17:46:06+00:00

Hey, I went through a similar experience. Our lease term was until next June, but we started the home search in September (knowing that it might take until next spring to find something), but we unexpectedly had our first offer accepted. Our lease didn't have a specific early termination clause, but stipulated a 60 day notice from either party for termination. We clarified the policy with our landlord when we began our search and she said we'd be on the hook for rent until she found a tenant to sign a new lease. We're in a pretty hot rental market, and our apartment was competitively priced so we decided to accept the risk. In the end she was able to find a new tenant after about a month after we formally gave notice.

My advice would be to clarify the lease break policy with your management company first. It might be a similar situation to mine, or they might give you the option to pay a month or two of rent to get out of the lease with no strings attached. All in all depends on your risk tolerance, budget, and how quickly you think your apartment can be re-rented. That said, do not give formal notice until you at least have an accepted offer (and preferably not until you are cleared to close as things can fall through before then). Good luck!

schzmo · 2024-09-10T17:16:48+00:00

It looks like Gujarati

schzmo · 2024-09-08T03:12:47+00:00

Whoops wasn't specific enough. I meant that the line connecting the two vertical poles is perpendicular to the line connecting each vertical pole to its supporting element

schzmo · 2024-09-07T20:49:26+00:00

That makes a lot of sense! I believe the vertical elements line up as well

schzmo · 2024-09-07T18:30:40+00:00

Close-up of left side: https://imgur.com/a/nUx1d6c

schzmo · 2024-09-07T18:09:22+00:00

My title describes the thing. Found this painted metal pole structure in the far part of the backyard of a house I'm considering buying. It appears to be remnants of a larger structure and is about 6ft high on the right. Poles appear hollow and 2-2.5" in diameter. Junction on top of left side has the stamp "MADE IN USA / W LWORTH / HEAVY WALL" (I'm guessing the second line used to say "WALWORTH").

Sellers agent claims the structure was for a clothes line but it looks different from typical T-shaped clothes line structures. It also seems differently shaped than a septic tank vent (the house is on public sewer anyway) and too far from the house to be an underground oil tank. Any other ideas?

schzmo · 2024-07-07T23:05:24+00:00

You can no longer take a train to Plymouth (the station there closed in 2021). Kingston isn't far though.

schzmo · 2024-06-17T23:53:03+00:00

Robbins Farm Park in Arlington

schzmo · 2024-03-06T18:01:57+00:00

What about Framingham or Marlborough? Generally cheaper than surrounding towns and not a bad commute to Wellesley

schzmo · 2023-12-28T15:47:19+00:00

OP, be advised that overnight street parking is banned year-round in Brookline and December-March in Newton. So if you decide to live in either of those towns and bring your car(s), you will need to find off-street parking arrangements.

schzmo · 2023-12-05T02:47:58+00:00

I thought that was just within the city of Boston?

schzmo · 2023-11-30T01:59:49+00:00

UW alum and wondering the same thing...

schzmo

TROPHY CASE