how a mid 1600's dig got slaughtered----all it takes is ONE or more IDIOTS______

[port ewen ace]

spent Fri., Sat., Sun., & Mon. from 4 to 7 PM with FMERG at a colonial parking lot rip out. we got there Tues., dug for about 30 min. when a snoop capital B yells out--do you have permission etc.---- cop shows up in a few and says "get written permission from the city", contractor says ---no problem, you are neat, so have at it. Frank talks to the new mayor---he goes on about liability ( we ALWAYS WAIVE it), need a hard hat, vest and on and on and on--his fool city engineer says no way no how. these 3 LOSERS have no idea what they have doomed to eternal oblivion. we will notify the archie and city historian about some of the finds so they can rain holy H^ll down on these "officials". our only hope is to get access to the dirt being dumped at the contractor site, other than that---IT'S ALL GONE FOREVER. every worker at the site was amazed as they approached me to see my finds today--- too bad a bunch of rats were running around with their ties and clipboards overseeing the project. as a note: we never entered the site until work ended for the day. Colonial American Horror Story

 

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[alabama11]

Wimpy people fear history.

 

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[Shiloh]

Yep, a few years ago I had to go through a safety training class for a half A day wear safety googles and safety vest , steel toed boots also a hard hat to metal detect a 640 acre construction site on the Alabama River. 🙁

 

[Loco-Digger]

Sorry for the outcome and I feel your pain and anger. Glad you had your rant, the fact remains that "it is what it is". There are millions of more areas to hunt, so get your head straight and Drive On! We all experience some red tape jerks while hunting. It's just a part of the hobby when you hunt on some properties and have been in the hobby for a while. I always enjoy reading your finds posts and the humor you put into them.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Does the town have an official written policy on metal detecting? It may turn out that it's actually allowed, but these jerks are just trying to act like they're important and are wanting to stoke their ego by pushing you around. If there isn't a policy, then send in a written request with a full explanation of what you do and how you do it, or make an app't to talk with the person with the actual authority to make a decision. You might be surprised with the results. Good luck!

 

[SD51]

No shortage of "BOZOS" on this planet! Those are probably the knuckleheads that litter too!

 

[fmerg]

Trust-passing on city/government property is defined by law in every community
if there are any signs that say the property is closed then by law you can not enter
as for the police officer he was doing the job he is paid to do no need to put him down for that
insurance and osa control all aspects of construction site job's and the rule are put in place to protect workers, public and tax payers
also the contractor in reality can not give permission to enter the property he does not own
how would you like to hire someone to replace your roof and have the contractor let someone detect your lawn
the mayor did say that the city's insurance would not allow us to be on a constuction site but we are more then welcome to do any other city property
sorry we lost the spot but thats the way things go time to move on to the next hot spot

 

[releventchair]

I've no idea if a historical survey is required before construction .....
Finds have in my state halted projects ,one memorable one in which locals knew the Indian who lived where pottery was unearthed...but rules are rules.
While the site mentioned in O.P. had a cool foreman ,others may be leery of someone making a historical find and stalling a project.
It would be nice, and save relics if a survey were conducted ,i even informally if the powers that be don't require one.

Years ago detectorists in the East covered a highway construction site and donated some great saved relics to be preserved.
Before work begins ,with planning , an area could be detected to the benefit of more than detectorists for sure.

Maybe a group could network with another group with greater influence in saving history?http:// http://nysparks.com/shpo/

 

[ecmjamsit]

You could always run for city council. If you can't beat them, join them. Rank has its privileges.

 

[beez0404]

Trust-passing on city/government property is defined by law in every community
if there are any signs that say the property is closed then by law you can not enter
as for the police officer he was doing the job he is paid to do no need to put him down for that
insurance and osa control all aspects of construction site job's and the rule are put in place to protect workers, public and tax payers
also the contractor in reality can not give permission to enter the property he does not own
how would you like to hire someone to replace your roof and have the contractor let someone detect your lawn
the mayor did say that the city's insurance would not allow us to be on a constuction site but we are more then welcome to do any other city property
sorry we lost the spot but thats the way things go time to move on to the next hot spot

Wait a minute. Weren't you right there with Rich on that property?

 

[Riff]

Totally sucks, sorry to hear that

 

[fmerg]

Wait a minute. Weren't you right there with Rich on that property?

yes i was

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I would think if you showed the news what was being covered up the public might back you up on digging, but then they would probably want it donated to a museum to go into storage.Maybe a half a win would be good in order to preserve some history.

 

[huntsman53]

I agree that it might be a good idea to get the Media involved and even some Historical Society groups! The project might just get totally shutdown and put the wad in the City's panties per see. If they are so tight butted that they won't let you metal detect a Colonial site being made into a parking lot, then they will likely stop anyone from metal detecting sidewalk tear outs. I can understand when there is a case of criminal trespass but a nosy busybody just chaps my' a%*!


Frank

 

[port ewen ace]

thanks Huntsman, Walmart sells stuff for that chapping--- I know, just bought a case :--). will try to get access to the hauled out overburden, and the media took a nice photo in today's paper showing the work---guess they don't think things through. an archie was there and did a small sample sift---found nuttin'--- guess he went to college to learn what I already knew__ DUH!! he coulda' had a tingle up his leg if he saw what got pulled from that nasty dirt. the bluestone sidewalks were all replaced in the area about 1910, I need to learn the city's position on hunting curb strips. likely the same_____head up their ***

I agree that it might be a good idea to get the Media involved and even some Historical Society groups! The project might just get totally shutdown and put the wad in the City's panties per see. If they are so tight butted that they won't let you metal detect a Colonial site being made into a parking lot, then they will likely stop anyone from metal detecting sidewalk tear outs. I can understand when there is a case of criminal trespass but a nosy busybody just chaps my' a%*!


Frank

 

[Brother Al]

Yep, a few years ago I had to go through a safety training class for a half A day wear safety googles and safety vest , steel toed boots also a hard hat to metal detect a 640 acre construction site on the Alabama River. 🙁

There are no safety " googles " Yahoo just got hacked again.... half a billion accounts. Sorry, sometimes I just Can't Help Myself.

 

[Rubka888]

What did you find on the previous days?

 

[DetectingGodlikeOnOlympus]

Have you tried bribery yet? Making a "deal" is always a last resort option at the most special of spots.

It is salvage after all...

 

[Echoplex]

I would not recommend getting the media involved as previously suggested, especially if it were to draw attention to the incident or cause any problems to the builder. Detectorists are already greatly disliked and misunderstood by many and there is no sense in causing any further drama or controversy on either side. Time to move on to the next project.

As a detectorist, I operate like a ghost. People might think they saw me, but they probably didn't.

 

[Icewing]

Without reading every reply there is a simple solution. Unless the city (any city) has lawfully passed an ordinance and posted a sign prohibiting metal detecting, no city official can stop you. It's PUBLIC PROPERTY and so long as you are not causing a disturbance, or unless the city can cite how your activity is unlawful, THEY CAN'T STOP YOU. You are not an employee, so they aren't liable for you. If you get falsely arrested or barred, you can sue the city. So you tell me who's creating a liability by telling you no...

 

[Tommy G]

Sorry that happened. I called a place today and got the same reply. Liability issues. Back in the 30's and before there were plenty of swim rafts in deeper water and places to jump off. All gone. liability. Sue happy Americans and lawyers.

Do you know why they bury lawyers 12' down instead of the customary 6 when they die?



Cause deep down they are really good people.

I do have a question. Is it fenced off at night? If not and you had permission from the contractors, maybe go back and if an officer comes explain your permission. Not all officers would care.

Just adding to Suba's point. Many times construction contracts will place site security responsibility on the contractor to shield the city (or other property owner) from the liability issues that so many worry about. If that is the case, then the contractor is the sole authority of who get access to the site. Worth checking.