[MassHistPres] Protecting our old NE stone walls from theft

[Garrett Laws]

What might the relative value of the $15 fine from 1791 or the $10 fine from
1901 be in 2009 dollars? I'd take a wild guess that it makes the new $ 500
look tiny!
Garrett

On Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 2:27 PM, David Temple <davidftemple at yahoo.com>wrote:

>
>
>     *"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<http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cynthia.creem@state.ma.us>and
> rep.geneoflaherty at hou.state.ma.us<http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rep.geneoflaherty@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/
>
>
>
> In your reply, please include my original message. AOL users please note!
>
> David Temple
> David F. Temple, Inc.
> 300 South Street
> Medfield, MA 02052
> 508-359-2915
>
>
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-- 
Cheers,
Garrett

Garrett Laws, Manager
The Copper & Slate Company
Fine Roofing and Exterior Finish Carpentry
238A Calvary Street
Waltham, MA 02453
Ph: (781) 893-1916
Fax: (781) 893-2041

Copperandslate at Gmail.com or
GLaws at hbuilders.net
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