[MassHistPres] demo by neglect

[Richard McGrath]

Dear preservation Friends. The town of Lunenburg has a wonderful mid 18th
century saltbox and barn. A developer bought the property and wanted to
tear down the property and build a new house along with other new houses on
the acreage. The Lunenburg Historic Commission told him that it would
probably go to the 18 month demo delay during which he needed to attempt to
sell the house and barn or move it. He quickly found a buyer and sold it
allowing him to go forward with the rest of his project. He said that he
had sold it to someone who wanted to restore the buildings and live there.
Four years later the property hasn't been touched and no one has lived
there and no one has been seen there by concerned neighbors.. A smaller 4
foot wide hole in the barn roof has developed to a state where the whole
roof has now collapsed and the barn is destabilized and in danger of
collapse. We only have a p.o. box address for the owner who has not
responded to our letters. We think that the developer sold the property to
a relative to get by the demo delay bylaw. We don't know what to do to save
this property and are seeking ideas.Thank you for any help.
Regards,
Richard McGrath, Chair Lunenburg Historical Commission
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