[MassHistPres] Demo Delay

[Ward Hamilton]

Before you bring him in the door, remember that if a building inspector
sees conditions that concern him he may condemn the building. Is an 18th
century, rubble stone foundation wall collapsing or just leaning? How much
deflection in a ridge beam is too much before a roof collapse is
imminent? Structural integrity isn't always black and white, and a building
inspector will err on the side of caution. Especially if the engineer, who
prepared the suspect report, is breathing over his neck. Once a building is
condemned by the building inspector all historic protections are
lost--public safety trumps all.



Ward Hamilton
Chairman
Melrose Historical Commission


On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 10:30 AM Eric Dray <ericedray at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hamilton is looking to update their procedure for demo delay review. A
> question has arisen about whether the Commission can require/ask the
> Building Inspector to make an assessment of a building’s condition,
> especially when an assessment has been submitted by the applicant which may
> be suspect. Do any other towns have experience with this? Does that process
> need to be embedded in the bylaw?
>
> Thank you… Eric
>
>
>
> Eric E. Dray, MA JD
>
> Eric Dray Consulting
>
> 71 Prentiss Street
>
> Cambridge, MA 02140
>
> 508.566.3797
>
> www.EricDrayConsulting.com <http://www.ericdrayconsulting.com/>
>
>
>
>
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