[MassHistPres] Cemetery Commission Rumble

[Mark Voigt]

Jonathon,

I agree with what has been posted regarding your current dilemma.  I am
the administrator for our HDC here and also sit as a member of our CPC.
We've had applications requesting funds to assist our cemetery
commission to protect the headstones, etc. as well.  The cemetery
commission members have been the most passionate about their mission.
Passion for one's work is helpful but it can reduce one's patience as
others try to understand the project.  Therefore, their passion can
interfere with their recognition of shared goals.  It is obvious that
both groups exist to:  protect cultural and historic resources.  I would
suggest building on the positive characteristics you share and work
toward a mutually acceptable understanding.

Good Luck,

Mark W. Voigt, AICP, Administrator
Nantucket Historic District Commission
Town Annex Building
37 Washington Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 228-7231           Fax(508) 325-7572
Celebrating 50 years of Preserving History



-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis De Witt
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 2:59 PM
To: MHC listserve
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Cemetery Commission Rumble


Jonathan

I assume when you say HD you don't mean LHD.

I think this is the point at which you ought to be reaching out to  
the selectmen, if you can and if you haven't.  They should be  
responding as honest brokers with the town's best interests in mind.   
They also have the power of appointment over both your boards, so  
they may get everyone's attention more than the administrator.  If  
you are perceived as reasonable in a situation like this, one would  
think they should do what is necessary to work out something  
appropriate.

Clearly, the discussion must be framed only a matter of technical  
appropriateness and not of control.  All concerned must know that  
these gravestones are artifacts of national importance.

And what about Fruitlands?  Wouldn't they speak up?

(Also, whatever you think, I'd stifle the word "bozos.")

Dennis De Witt



On Nov 10, 2007, at 1:26 PM, Jonathan Feist wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> The Harvard Shaker Cemetery issue has taken an unsuspected turn. To 
> summarize the history, the Harvard Cemetery Commission proposed
> sandblasting
> and powdercoating the cast iron markers in the Harvard Shaker  
> Cemetery, to
> be funded by the CPA. I'm a member of the CPC as well as chair of the
> Historical Commission.
>
> The applicants met with the CPC to discuss their project. I
> summarized the
> concerns articulated here regarding silica sandblasting, and  
> others, and
> suggested that as a first step, they get the advice of a  
> conservator who
> specializes in antique cast iron. We offered to accept an increase  
> in the
> requested amount in their application to fund this.
>
> The applicants then flipped out, shouted at us that we were petty 
> bureaucrats, withdrew their application, swore an oath to fund
> their project
> another way, and stormed out of the meeting, while members of the  
> CPC sat
> gaping.
>
> So, here's my question. The Shaker cemetery is within the borders
> of the
> Harvard Shaker Village Historical District. Our town administrator  
> doesn't
> think that the HC's jurisdiction trumps that of the Cemetery  
> Commission. Is
> this how you understand it as well?
>
> I am trying to arrange a meeting of the two boards, facilitated by
> the Town
> Administrator, hoping to create some sort of dialog and joint  
> approach to
> issues such as this. Honestly, though, I'm not hopeful that this  
> meeting
> will bear fruit, as the Cemetery Commission seems to have some real  
> turf
> issues and not much sense about historical preservation. Plus, they  
> are
> bozos.
>
> Opinions? Strategies?
>
> --Jonathan
>
>
>
> ===============================================
>
> Jonathan Feist, Chair
> Harvard Historical Commission
> 978-772-4864 (home)
> 617-747-2148 (Berklee office)
>
> Preserve Historical Harvard, MA: 
> http://www.jonathanfeist.com/Pages/HarvardPreservation.html
>
> Blog: Writing about Music http://jonathanfeist.berkleemusicblogs.com
>
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