[MassHistPres] Input from fire chief on demolition delay

[cvwtc at aol.com]

When Mayor Kim Driscoll of Salem, MA was looking to have the vacant St. Joseph's Church demolished, she had someone from the police department comment during the Section 106 hearing.  While the officer did not specifically state the structure should be torn down, he made the case that having an empty building in that neighborhood would cause many problems and attract a criminal element.  I believe the possibility of arson was suggested too.
Matthew PujoBeverly, MA


-----Original Message-----
From: sally milne <urbanosally at gmail.com>
To: MassHistPres MA <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Fri, Mar 8, 2019 2:45 pm
Subject: [MassHistPres] Input from fire chief on demolition delay

Hello everyone,
    We  have encountered an issue I find perplexing and so I turn to you all.
In Harwich we have a Historic building for which the demolition delay is invoked. Having attended a number of demo hearings I notice the lawyers always object to personal opinion of the HDHC and keep them on point as to their guidelines for the hearings. However recently the fire chief and to a lesser degree the police department have made statements that the building under the demolition delay should be demolished as it is unstable. I understand the need for the fire department to red x the building so that firemen won’t enter and be hurt while putting out a fire, that would be in the realm of the fire chief. I do not think it is in his realm to deem the building be demolished. That would seem to be an engineering assessment along with the HDHC.
    Has anyone experienced this? I think it could be a detrimental practice and wonder how to handle it.

I thank you for your time and consideration.
Sally Urbano
Individual
Harwich,ma
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