[MassHistPres] S. 1428 - An Act relative to historic districts and commissions

[Chris Skelly]

Below is the response I received earlier today from Senator Jo Comerford.
While it suggests less urgency regarding passage, I hope that many of you
will submit testimony anyway as the more voices, the better.  Chris.
*Chris Skelly*
*Skelly Preservation Services*
Community Planning and Preservation
www.skellypreservationservices.com
ccskelly12 at gmail.com
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov>
Date: Sat, Jun 14, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: S. 1428
To: Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>

Thanks for this important testimony.

My team and I are taking it all to heart.

Please know that this bill is in no danger of passing and that I will make
sure that the committee sees all of the dissenting comments.

Jo

*Representing 25 cities and towns in Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester
counties*

SenatorJoComerford.org


Sign up for our office newsletter *here
<https://senatorjocomerford.org/#mk-footer>*.
------------------------------
*From:* Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
*Sent:* Saturday, June 14, 2025 8:18 AM
*To:* Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov>
*Subject:* S. 1428


I have just been made aware of Bill S.1428-An Act relative to historic
districts and commissions.

“By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1428) of
Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish and preserve historic
districts and commissions. Municipalities and Regional Government.”


With over 25 years of historic preservation professional experience and a
deep familiarity with MGL Chapter 40C-The Historic Districts Act as well as
the typical local bylaws and ordinances related to historic preservation, I
am deeply troubled by aspects of this bill.


It appears this bill was filed without the knowledge of the Massachusetts
Historical Commission or Preservation Massachusetts, the statewide
non-profit preservation advocacy organization.


My experience over many years has demonstrated that revisions to state law
in this area are warranted.  However, the proposed bill takes a very
unfortunate approach.  What I see in this proposed bill will be ruinous to
protecting what makes the cities and towns of Massachusetts unique and
admired around the country.


I strongly believe historic preservation, increasing access to housing that
is affordable, new opportunities for growth, economic development, and
environmental sustainability are best achieved together.  I would very much
like to see revisions to state law that encourage this collaboration.  The
current bill simply causes more confusion, division and fewer opportunities
to reach shared goals.


Those of us that work professionally in historic preservation are dedicated
to making sure that our historic areas are vibrant, welcoming, adaptable
and meeting the needs of the 21st Century.  I urge you to reach out and
work with those of us in the historic preservation community to achieve
these goals.


*Chris Skelly*
*Skelly Preservation Services*
Community Planning and Preservation
22 William Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
www.skellypreservationservices.com
ccskelly12 at gmail.com
413-834-0678
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