[MassHistPres] town commons

[GRETCHEN SCHULER]

Is this the common on top of Academy Hill which will be included in your
proposed LHD if you are successful?  You really need the LHD right now! -
You may want to point out that if you get the LHD passed these items will
require review and approval of the LHDC - and that one would have to prove
why such additions to the common are historically and architecturally
appropriate additions.  In addition the LHD Study Committee was appointed by
the Selectmen - perhaps it may just be an issue of information.

Are the additions money making ideas?  Particularly the brick pavers?  Of
course plantings would not have to be reviewed and approved by an LHDC - but
honestly it would be a good idea to encourage the groups and the Selectmen
to consult the LHD Study Committee.  And what are the groups that have
requested permission?  You may want to try to understand their requests and
see if their needs could be accommodated elsewhere?

We are trying to protect what is left of our tiny town green from road
widenings - it is a constant battle I am afraid.

Good luck.
Gretchen Schuler
Wayland Historic District Commission


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Betsy Hannula" <betsyhannula at verizon.net>
To: "List Serve Mass Historical Commission" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 9:31 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] town commons


> Out of the blue, the selectmen in our town of Westminster last month gave
their approval to two different entities to put "things" on our town
common - a park consisting of paved brickways and plantings, and a series of
granite benches around the small bandstand.  Tonight the Historical
Commission requested time to review these plans because the town common is
part of our National Register Historic District, and the selectmen agreed to
give us time.  (They didn't know we should be allowed to review any plans!)
>
>   My question is - does anyone have good source material on the history of
town commons that we could use to persuade others that the town common
should be left in its natural state?  I fear it would become more like a
city park than a town common.
>
>   Thanks.
>   Betsy Hannula
>
>
> Betsy Hannula
> 68 Harrington Road
> Westminster, MA 01473
>
> Tel. 978-874-0430
> ******************************
> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE
LIST.
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
> ********************************
>