[MassHistPres] Theft of stones from historic stone walls

[Betty Slade]

Preservation of stone walls in recent years is generally good in Westport.
Betty SladeWestport
In a message dated 3/8/2020 6:03:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, jamesjorourkejr321 at gmail.com writes:


The preservation community in my town is concerned with the theft of stones from our historic stone walls. It appears that Massachusetts, unlike neighboring states New Hampshire and Rhode Island, has no effective state law which would prevent such thefts.  M.G.L. c.266, sec. 105 provides a penalty of $10.00. The Scenic Roads Act (M.G.L. c. 40, sec 15C) requires that the town designate a road as “scenic” before the minimal protections of the law can be applied. The Town of Sutton and several other towns in Massachusetts have ordinances that provide a specific process for protecting stone walls on scenic roads. 


Two towns in Rhode Island (Portsmouth and Smithfield) have passed ordinances that are very protective of stone walls.  Portsmouth provides for a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation. The only Massachusetts town which I have found which has a comparable ordinance is the Town of Boxborough.

What has been the experience of members on the mailing list with respect to the preservation of stone walls in their communities?


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Jim O'Rourke, Chair, Somerset Historical Commission_______________________________________________
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