[MassHistPres] Name Change Suzanne It's not clear which of the two commissions you are planning to rename but here are some thoughts. About 20 years ago we combined our Historical Commission and Historic District Commission into one Preservation Commission. The two had tended to be about 2/3s the same set of people wearing two hats and meeting in sequence. One reason for combining was that we were told that was necessary to become Certified Local Government -- something being pushed at the time which seemed to offer more advantages than turned out to be the case, altho it does offer a few. We now know that combining wasn't necessary to be a CLG. At least in our case the LHD and DD and other architectural functions have almost entirely displaced whatever we once would have done as an Historical Commission that was not related to buildings. Even tho I'm an architectural historian I think that is too bad. Altho opinions are split on this here, I would b! e be inclined to give serious consideration to re-splitting them with all the architecture functions such as DD staying with the HDC, which I have been told is possible. The reason for our name change was that we had heard once too often some wisenheimer split up as he called us the "hysterical commission." Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Dennis De Witt

[Dennis De Witt]

In light of some other comments, let me share a note previously sent  
to Suzanne off line.

It's not clear which of the two commissions you are planning to  
rename but here are some thoughts.

About 20 years ago Brookline combined its Historical Commission and  
Historic District Commission into one Preservation Commission.  The  
two had tended to be mostly but not entirely the same set of people  
wearing two hats and meeting in sequence.   One reason for combining  
was that we were told that was necessary to become a Certified Local  
Government -- something being pushed at the time which seemed to  
offer more advantages than turned out to be the case -- altho it does  
offer some.  We now know that combining wasn't necessary to be a CLG.

At least in our case the Historic District and demo delay and other  
architectural functions have almost entirely displaced whatever we  
once would have done as an Historical Commission that was not related  
to buildings -- e.g "blue plaques" or non-architectural history.   
Even tho I'm an architectural historian I think that is too bad.   
While opinions are split on this here, I personally would be be  
inclined to give serious consideration to re-splitting, with all the  
architecture review functions such as demo delay staying with the  
Historic District Commission, which I have been told is possible.

A major reason for our name change -- which I would never undo as far  
as the Historic District Commission is concerned -- was that once too  
often we had heard some wisenheimer call us the "hysterical  
commission" in a public setting.

People still confuse us with the Historical Society but less so than  
if we hadn't changed our name.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Dennis De Witt