East Greenwich, Rhode Island – As the town approaches its 350th anniversary, the East Greenwich Town Council is considering a new ordinance aimed at preserving the community’s historic homes. Town Manager Andrew Nota explained that the measure would legally obligate owners of designated historic properties to keep the buildings in good repair.

How the ordinance would work

If a property is officially classified as a historic home, the owner must maintain the roof, exterior shell, and windows to prevent weather damage. The goal is to safeguard the basic structure rather than force costly, detailed renovations.

Should an owner refuse to perform the required upkeep, the town could intervene, using tax dollars to make essential repairs. In that case, a lien would be placed on the property, and the owner would be required to repay the community for the work performed.

Town manager’s response to homeowner concerns

When asked what would happen if a homeowner did not want to comply, Nota said the owner would need to demonstrate that the building does not meet the criteria for historic designation. “They would have to come and defend to the town that they’re not eligible or they should not be defined as a historic structure that’s contributing to the historic fabric,” he said.

Selection process and focus on severely damaged homes

The council will vote on which homes receive historic status. Renovations would be limited to structures that are severely damaged and at risk of becoming unlivable. “It really comes down to structures that are just about ready to fall in on themselves, which really would not be livable,” Nota explained.

The ordinance is also intended to prevent situations like the historic home on Division Road, which is slated for demolition after years of neglect. “If this ordinance existed five to ten years ago, there’s a good chance that could have been saved,” Nota noted, describing roof sections that have begun to cave in and windows that have blown out.

Public input and next steps

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday night at 7 p.m., giving residents an opportunity to comment on the draft and suggest changes. If the ordinance moves forward, it could be placed on the council’s agenda for a final vote at the next meeting.

The proposed measure reflects East Greenwich’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage while balancing the responsibilities of property owners and the broader community.

Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.