[MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties

[Judy Markland]

Terry,
Weston also has an historic home that was acquired with conservation land, 
the Melone Homestead.  It has been used to house employees of Land's Sake, 
a non-profit that maintains town trails and has land and farm-oriented 
educational programs for children.  It is within a National Register 
district and is currently being rehabilitated with CPA funds to serve a 
residential rental property.
We've found so far that the municipal process need not compromise the goal 
of historic preservation, but it is very cumbersome and complex and adds to 
the overall cost of restoration.  Putting a preservation easement on the 
property and turning it over to a non-profit would facilitate things greatly.
If CPA funds are available, you might be able to get funding for both 
preservation and affordable housing uses.  Turning the building over to a 
non-profit wouldn't affect eligibility for CPA funds if there were a 
preservation easement in place.

Judy Markland


At 11:07 PM 4/8/2007, Terry McDermott wrote:
>As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October 2006) 
>acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period half house in 
>Wilmington.  I have corresponded with members of this list in the past and 
>I always learn something interesting.
>
>My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts towns 
>that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic residential 
>property?  It is agreed by all that the Butters house is in need of some 
>serious preservation work.  I know Chelmsford recently acquired and 
>ultimately sold an historic property; I know Burlington owns and is still 
>working on fundraising for the Grandview Farm, which I believe is large 
>enough to ultimately serve as a function facility, should the rehab work 
>be funded.  (I also believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab 
>process to be difficult)  But do any other towns own historic residential 
>property?  I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears to me 
>that town's often end up offloading this type of property to a private 
>society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better positioned to manage a 
>preservation project.  At the heart of the issue for us would be how do we 
>best finance the necessary rehab work for the best, mo
>  st historically sensitive outcome?
>
>A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic 
>property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>
>Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Terry McDermott
>Curator
>Wilmington Town Museum at the
>Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>430 Salem Street
>Wilmington, MA  01887
>978.658.5475
>htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>
>The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>  addresses and phone number.
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