[MassHistPres] Protecting our old NE stone walls from theft

[David Temple]

"Stone wall plunderers leave a heritage in pieces" is the title of a front-page article in today's Globe by the aptly-named Brian MacQuarrie. It sounds like a serious historic preservation issue and a call to action for all of us. 
 
Fortunately, Rep. Pam Richardson (D-Framingham) has filed a wall-protection bill (4908) with the Mass. legislature, where is awaiting action by the judiciary committee.  It would help if everyone contacted their senator and representative (see http://www.mass.gov/legis/) and the chairs of the joint judiciary committee cynthia.creem at state.ma.us and rep.geneoflaherty at hou.state.ma.us  to express support.
 
Here's the essence of the bill, from Richardson's web site:
 
An Act to Preserve Historic Stone Walls (H. 4908)
This bill seeks to amend the existing General laws regarding theft and destruction of stone walls. Whoever willfully and without consent of the owner pulls down or removes any portion of a stone wall or fence of another shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 6 months or by a fine of not more than $500 or not more than 3 times the value of the property so pulled down or removed, whichever is greater, and shall also be required to pay for the replacement or reconstruction of such stone wall or fence 

 
According to the Globe, NH Gov. John Lynch last week signed a bill that will assess triple damages against thieves, plus attorneys' fees, to restore a picked-apart wall. The previous law, adopted in 1791, fined thieves $15 for stealing stones. 
 
The Massachusetts law, from 1901, levies a $10 fine.
 
Here's a link to the Globe story: http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/08/10/nh_law_touted_as_weapon_against_stone_wall_raiders/ 


 
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David Temple 
David F. Temple, Inc. 
300 South Street 
Medfield, MA 02052 
508-359-2915 
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