[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dedham
as Ch. 24 of the 1996 By-laws. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known, and may be referred to, as the
"Dedham Historic Districts By-Laws".
The purpose and intent of this chapter shall be to promote the
educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public
through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics
of buildings and places significant in the history of Dedham or its
architecture, through the maintenance and improvement of the appearance
and settings of such buildings and places, and the encouragement of
design and construction compatible therewith.
A.
There is hereby established under Chapter 40C of the General Laws
(the "Historic Districts Act" so-called), as amended by Chapter 359
of the Acts of 1971, a Dedham Historic Districts Commission, with
all the powers and duties legally assigned thereunto.
B.
Said Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Dedham
Board of Selectmen, to be selected as follows:
(1)
One member shall be selected, if possible, from two nominees whose
names are submitted by the Dedham Historical Society.
(2)
One member shall be selected, if possible, from two nominees whose
names are submitted by the local Board of Realtors covering the Town
of Dedham.
(3)
One member shall be selected, if possible, from two nominees whose
names are submitted by the Chapter of American Institute of Architects
covering the Town of Dedham.
(4)
One member shall be selected, if possible, from two nominees whose
names are submitted by the Bar Association covering the Town of Dedham.
(5)
The remaining positions on the Commission (including vacancies resulting
from the failure of any of the organizations noted above to submit
names of nominees within 30 days of such request by the Board of Selectmen)
shall be filled by the Board of Selectmen at their discretion.
(6)
At any given time, three of the appointees serving upon the Dedham
Historic Districts Commission shall be property owners within an Historic
District in Dedham, established pursuant to the Historic Districts
Act.
C.
When the Commission is first established, two members shall be appointed
for terms of one year, two shall be appointed for terms of two years,
and three shall be appointed for terms of three years. A successor
to a member shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen in the same
manner as such member was appointed, except that his term shall be
for three years.
D.
If an unscheduled vacancy occurs on the Commission, it shall be filled
for the unexpired term by the Board of Selectmen in the same manner
as the vacating member was appointed.
E.
Each member shall serve without compensation and shall continue in
office after the expiration of his allotted term, until such time
as his successor is appointed.
A.
The Historic Districts Commission established hereunder shall have
all of the powers and duties of an historic commission as delineated
by the Historic District Act, as amended, and said Commission may,
in the exercise of said powers and duties, accept money gifts and
expend the same, and, subject to appropriation or receipt of such
gifts, contract for and employ such clerical assistance or technical
consultants or assistance as the Commission may, at its discretion,
find suitable.
B.
The Commission may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct
of its business as are not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Historic District Act, the General Laws, or other by-laws of the Town
of Dedham.
C.
The Commission may, pursuant to a vote of the Town, administer for
the Town of Dedham any designated properties or lesser interest which
the Town may own or acquire as gifts.
D.
The Commission may carry out such other duties, authorities and powers
as may be delegated or assigned unto it by vote of Town Meeting.
E.
The Commission shall be empowered to propose, in accordance with
the provisions of the Historic District Act, such additional districts
or additions to existing districts as they may deem suitable, and,
to that end, said Commission may conduct such surveys, investigations
and dealings with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the National
Register, the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities
or any similar governmental or private organization, as may be deemed
advisable.
There are hereby established under the provisions of Chapter
40C of the General Laws, as amended, the following Historic Districts:
A.
The "Franklin Square-Court Street" District, also known as the Dedham
Village Historic District, delineated and bounded as shown on three
maps, entitled respectively "Dedham Historic District Study Committee-Area
One" drawn by David G. Dethlefs, Registered Architect and "Area One
— Franklin Square — Court Street Historic District, including
Village Avenue Cemetery Parcel" prepared by Vollmer Associates LLP
dated November 15, 2006, and "Historic Districts, Revised March 2007,
Town of Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts," prepared by the Town
of Dedham Engineering Department, including the areas identified as
"Proposed," all of which maps are on file with the office of the Town
Clerk, Dedham, Massachusetts,
B.
The "Connecticut Corner" District, delineated and bounded as shown
on a map entitled "Dedham Historic District Study Committee —
Area Two" drawn by David G. Dethlefs, Registered Architect, and on
file in the office of the Town Clerk, Dedham, Mass.
