NEWBURY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Newbury's building inspector says as many as 40 shoreline homes on Plum Island are in danger following last week's storm which knocked down two houses and forced the bulldozing of a third.
IMAGES: Demolition begins on Plum Island
Two homes knocked off their foundations last week were torn down over the weekend and a third was scheduled for demolition on Monday. Thirteen homes are uninhabitable and six have been or are about to be torn down.
Building inspector Sam Joslin says three other houses suffered significant structural damage in the storm and may eventually have to be demolished.
Residents say state regulations are too strict and cumbersome to navigate in order to protect their homes. They say the permitting process is too slow and the requirements are unreasonable.
Republican State Sen. Bruce Tarr, whose district includes Plum Island, has called on state and federal officials to take action and protect the remaining homes, some of which were hundreds of yards from the shore when they were built years ago. Years of erosion have put them on the water's edge.
Tarr is telling Plum Island residents to do what they need to do in order to protect their homes. He says if the DEP issues fines, go see his office.
Officials and residents will gather Monday to discuss the damage. The Merrimack River Beach Alliance will be meeting at the Plum Island Taxpayers Hall in Newbury at 11 a.m. and FOX 25 will be there.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
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