[MassHistPres] Communities that have Affirmative Maintenance by-laws (combating demo by neglect)

[Dennis De Witt]

Lisa

Brookline has such a section on Demolition by Neglect and and one on Demolition by Misadventure (e,g, “mysterious" fires in badly secured buildings and the like) in its demo delay by-law — which is on line.  It was added some years ago when the law was strengthened in various ways.  Perhaps because it was part of a package, I recall no significant discussion or opposition to those clauses.

There have not been many calls for its use.  In my experience with a prior building inspector, who was somewhat live-and-let-live, he was not inclined to enforce it strongly in the couple of occasions where he was brought in.  In one case in an LHD involving a trust with an incompetent beneficiary he saiid it was difficult to determine who was responsible.  In another involving a very important building not in an LHD, he said that the building, although in tough shape, was watertight and not deteriorating further.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline


> On May 31, 2018, at 10:24 AM, Lisa Hassler <lisa at historichomescapecod.com> wrote:
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> In the town of Sandwich, we have seen an increasing number of historical properties lost to demo by neglect.  We are looking for communities that have successfully adopted an Affirmative Maintenance by law.  If your community has one, has it been successful?  Was it difficult to get approval through town meeting?
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> Lisa Hassler
> Chair, Sandwich Historical Commission
> Sandwich, MA
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