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Commissioner: stone-wall protection falls outside commission's oversight; by-law change would be needed
Summary
A citizen-raised concern about protecting stone walls prompted Commissioner Derek Richard to report his prior research and note the issue is outside the commission's authority; he cited a $10 fine for damaging stone walls and said by-law changes would be necessary to expand protections.
A citizen comment about preserving stone walls was discussed at the April 2 Somerset Historical Commission meeting. Commissioner Derek Richard said he had researched stone-wall protections in the past, expressed a personal interest in the issue and reported that "it is not within our oversight." He added that a statutory or local fine of $10 exists for damaging a stone wall and that protecting walls more broadly would require changes to the town's by-laws.
Commissioners did not adopt any by-law changes at the meeting and there was no motion directing staff to pursue regulatory amendments. The exchange was recorded as a discussion item and will require further follow-up if commissioners want to pursue formal changes to town rules or initiate an outreach campaign.
