Proposed Demo Delay Bylaw Information
Draft Text of the Bylaw
Demo Delay Fact Sheet
Demo Delay Diagram
Public Hearing Notice
Reasons for Demolition Delay Bylaws, as presented by the Town of Hamilton
About the Historic District
On March 18, 1972, the voters of the Town of Wenham passed a by-law establishing an Historic District along Main Street from Beverly to the Hamilton town line.
The by-law also established a Wenham Historic District Commission to exercise the powers and duties granted in Chapter 40-C of the General Laws of the Commonwealth. Under the rules of the Commission, property owners in the Historic District are required to present plans to the Commission before undertaking certain changes within the District.
The purpose of the design review process is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the Town's distinctive characteristics, including its buildings, architecture, and historically significant places, through the maintenance and improvement of such settings and the encouragement of compatible designs.
Certificate of Appropriateness:
The Historic District Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month primarily to review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness regarding new construction or modifications to existing buildings located in the Historic District.
Applications of a Certificate of Appropriateness may be obtained from the Permitting Office at Town Hall. Once an applicant has completed all of the information requested on the application, it must be returned to the Permitting Office and the applicant should then schedule a meeting with the Historic District Commission by contacting the Permitting Office. If an application is approved by the Commission, the Commission prepares and sends a Certificate of Appropriateness to the person or persons who requested it and a copy is sent to the Wenham Building Inspector.
The HDC Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness can be found in the left hand navigation. Applications can be submitted to the Permitting Office anytime during Town Hall hours. Questions can be sent to permitting@wenhamma.gov or 978-468-5520 ext. 4. Building Code related questions can be directed to permitting@wenhamma.gov.
Commission Members:
Kelly Schmidt, Chair, (2024)
Vacancy (2024)
Bonnie Anderson, Secretary (2026)
Kirsten Alexander (2024)
Lisa Benecke (2026)
Mary McDonnell (2026)
Mary Wood (2026)
