[MassHistPres] Demolitions

[franksmalabar at gmail.com]

If your by law simply defines one of the reasons for imposing a “demolition delay” as any action that reduces/affects the “character defining features or architecture” of the historically significant structure…yes, you can impose a demolition delay. Reduction or increasing a roofline, which by its action, means loss of historic materials, is a reason for imposing a demolition delay….as we do in Chatham.

 

Frank Messina

Chatham Historical Commission

Chairman

 

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of jakerox--- via MassHistPres
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2026 8:19 AM
To: Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
Cc: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demolitions

 

Yes that's why I'm asking.  I was under the impression that it was a statewide statute.  Thanks for your quick reply.

 

Mark Ferencik

 <mailto:jakerox at comcast.net> jakerox at comcast.net

 

  _____  

From: Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com <mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2026 7:49 PM
To: jakerox at comcast.net <mailto:jakerox at comcast.net>  <jakerox at comcast.net <mailto:jakerox at comcast.net> >
Cc: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> >
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demolitions 

 

Mark, is your question related to your demolition delay bylaw?  If so, then it really depends on how your bylaw has defined what constitutes a demolition.  This varies greatly across the state depending on the wording of the bylaw.  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> 

Community planning with the past, present, and future in mind



 

 

On Thu, Apr 9, 2026 at 1:09 PM jakerox--- via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> > wrote:

Hello all, I remember a presentation a while back that stated changing a roofline constitutes a demolition.  I have been unable to find the Massachusetts General Law that supports this.  Does anyone know the specific MGL number that states this?

 

Thank you

 

Mark Ferencik                                                                                                        Foxborough  Historical Commission

 <mailto:jakerox at comcast.net> jakerox at comcast.net

 

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