[MassHistPres] Electric Meters & other utility locations

[Chris Skelly]

The meter is still a structure and is still regulated by the historic
district commission whether a building permit is needed or not.  This is in
the same way that low fences and walls may not need a building permit either
but would still require a certificate.  I'm not suggesting that solves your
concerns because the building permit requirement greatly assists in
notifying contractors, utilities and owners that a certificate is needed
before installation can commence. 

So, if the structure is installed without local historic district commission
approval, it is still a violation.  Educating the utility may help on this
one.  Chris.

 

Christopher C. Skelly

Director of Local Government Programs

Massachusetts Historical Commission

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125

Ph: (617) 727-8470 / Fax: (617) 727-5128

 <mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us

 <http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm>
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm

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From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Kristi Chase
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 9:32 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Electric Meters & other utility locations

 

We have a spate of new electric meters being placed on the front of
buildings in our LHDs.  We only find out about them when the owners object,
otherwise the electricians just install them wherever.  The City Electrical
Inspector told me that the placement of meters does not fall under MGL 143
section 6A because the Electric Code is different from the Building Code and
therefore we have no say about the location.

How are other cities handling this?  Are there other tools we could be using
to relocate the meters? 

Thanks, 

Kristi Chase 

Kristenna P. Chase, Preservation Planner 
Historic Preservation Commission 
Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development 
93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA  02143 
(t) 617-625-6600 x2525, (f) 617-625-0722 

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