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

[William G. Constable]

Chris –
              Even if S 1428 is not likely to pass, your adage that “historic preservation, increasing access to housing that is affordable, new opportunities for growth, economic development, and environmental sustainability are best achieved together” rings true.  While I would clarify your list a bit by including “habitat, climate resilience and access to nature”, achieving “together” for these needs sounds very, very close to “land use planning”.
Particularly for those of us involved in historic preservation, conservation, farming and housing , the peculiar Massachusetts system of stove-piped plans for transportation (and other infrastructure), open space and some for housing and climate change, are almost all without any real coordination, regulatory authority and with woefully little funding or community engagement.
While enforceable and approved Master Plans are probably unachievable in the Commonwealth, perhaps we should carry in our advocacy some common refrain that regulations, funding and government action be made with explicit consideration for the other land uses.
This is all stated with due appreciation for the work of you and others toiling in the land use field.
With Regards

Buzz Constable

William G. Constable, Esq.
Constable Conservation Consulting
17 Old Lexington Rd
Lincoln, MA 01773
617-719-1771

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Chris Skelly via MassHistPres
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 9:14 PM
To: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: [MassHistPres] S. 1428 - An Act relative to historic districts and commissions

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<http://www.skellypreservationservices.com/>
ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 8:18 AM
To: Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov<mailto: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<http://www.skellypreservationservices.com/>
ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
413-834-0678





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