Rehoboth’s Historical/Scenic Roadways To Receive New Signage

Whether you have lived in Rehoboth your entire life or are new to the neighborhood, the scenic and historical beauty of Rehoboth cannot be denied as one drives through town. Many of our roadways have existed for centuries. Drive down Perryville Road and you cannot help but take note of the centuries old stone walls, old trees, and some of the historic homes that line the street. These scenes are what some would say define and give Rehoboth the charm it possesses today.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a law in place (Mass General Law, Chapter 40, Section 15C) that allows its towns to designate certain roads as scenic and or historical roads. This law protects aspects of that road including, but not limited to, its stonewalls and trees. There are currently twelve streets that have been deemed historical or scenic roadways by the Town of Rehoboth, namely, Ash Street, Carpenter Street, Holmes Street, Locust Avenue, Rocky Hill Road, School Street, and Summer Street are historical roadways in their entirety; Perryville Road, Hillside Avenue, Fairview Avenue, Davis Street, and Bay State Road are considered partially historical roadways. These roadways will be designated by a new sign to be placed at the beginning and end of the road that states they are an historical road.

In an effort to protect the historical and scenic nature of our roadways, there is currently a Rehoboth bylaw (Chapter B. Section 36) that informs residents, contractors, and anyone looking to do work along the roadside, of the procedures that must be adhered to be should the work to be completed is to affect any aspect of the roadway, including stonewalls and trees. The bylaw also states how it is to be enforced and what fines are to be imposed should the proper procedure not be followed, and if stonewalls or trees are affected. The bylaw was most recently updated at Rehoboth Town Meeting this past spring.

It is the Rehoboth Historical Commission’s sincerest hope that the bylaw and its enforcement will protect these historical roadways, their stonewalls and ancient trees, so we may all continue to enjoy and appreciate them for generations to come.