[MassHistPres] Demo Delay - Alternate Commissioners

[historicdanvers at aol.com]

      At my request, State Representative Theodore Speliotis of Danvers (Rep.TheodoreSpeliotis at hou.state.ma.us) Room 146, State House, Boston, MA 02133, has filed legislation to amend Chapter 40, Section 8D (Historical Commission; establishment; powers and duties) to allow the appointment of alternate commissioners (such as allowed for Zoning Boards of Appeals) for Historical Commissions administering demolition delay bylaws.
     Since my drafting of the Danvers Demolition Delay Bylaw and its adoption in 1990, I have witnessed, as a member and Chair of the Danvers Preservation Commission and now its volunteer clerk, the Commission initially seldom dealing with a demolition permit to the current situation where the Commission is dealing with 3-4 demolition permit requests each month with applicants arriving with their attorneys, architects, builders and consultants. 
     Needless to say it is a source of a great irritation and expense to the public (the applicant) paying his or her professionals when the volunteer commission (due to commissioner's scheduling conflicts, emergencies, illness, vacations, family, and other time demands) doesn't have a quorum and can't act.
     The lack of a quorum is a source of frustration and embarrassment (arising from the inconvenience of the applicant) for those Commissioners who make the meeting.  
     The lack of a quorum is definitely poor public relations for the Commission.
     Due to the deadlines for action on a application in the Demolition Delay Bylaw, the lack of a quorum can cause the Commission to miss a deadline for action and allow a demolition by default.
     Rep. Speliotis has asked me if there is any support, other than that of Historic Danvers, for such legislation so that the issue will appear to the various House committees to be a state wide issue and not just an issue parochial to Danvers.
     If anyone is interested in such legislation would you please contact State Representative Speliotis at the above address or me.
     Thanks.
     Wayne Eisenhauer, President
     Historic Danvers, Inc. 
     P.O. Box 119
     Danvers, MA 01923
     historicdanvers at aol.com

     
     

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