This chapter is adopted under the authority
granted by Article 89 of the amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution
(the Home Rule Amendment).
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of preserving
and protecting significant buildings within Williamstown which reflect
distinctive features of the architectural, historical and cultural
heritage of the Town and to encourage owners of such buildings to
seek ways to preserve, rehabilitate or restore them rather than demolish
them. To achieve those purposes, the Williamstown Historical Commission
is empowered to advise the Inspector of Buildings with respect to
the issuance of permits for the demolition of significant buildings.
The issuance of demolition permits for significant buildings is regulated
as provided in this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
have the meanings indicated:
COMMISSION
The Williamstown Historical Commission.
DEMOLITION
The removal of a full street-facing facade or other act of
pulling down, destroying, removing, dismantling or razing a structure,
or commencing the work of total or substantial destruction with the
intent of completing the same. "Substantial" herein shall mean either
half the volume of the structure or half its assessed value, as determined
by the Building Commissioner.
[Amended 5-19-2015 ATM,
Art. 37]
HISTORIC RESOURCES LIST
A list of Williamstown buildings which are on the National
Register of Historic Places, or the State Register of Historic Places,
or recorded by the Commission in the Local Inventory of Historic Resources,
or 100 years or older.
[Amended 5-15-2001 ATM, Art. 23]
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
The person occupying the office of Inspector of Buildings
or otherwise authorized to issue demolition permits.
PREFERABLY PRESERVED
Any significant building deemed by the Commission to have
an important association with the economic, political or cultural
development of the Town or with important state or national figures
or to be an outstanding or last-remaining example of a recognized
architectural style that contributes substantially to the historic
or architectural character of the neighborhood.
[Amended 5-15-2001 ATM, Art. 23]
SIGNIFICANT BUILDING
All buildings on the Williamstown historic resources list,
to be provided to the Inspector of Buildings by the Commission.
If any section of this chapter be for any reason
declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court, every other section,
paragraph or part shall continue in full force and effect.