[MassHistPres] Annual Reporting to Mass Historic

[Suzanne W. Pelton]

Great idea! Lenox would participate.

Suzanne Pelton

On Mar 12, 2008, at 8:37 AM, Jonathan Feist wrote:

> Here's a  brainstorm for a new annual procedure for all HCs. Maybe  
> everyone
> will hate the idea, but I would find it useful, personally.
>
> What would you think about someone from the Mass Historic (i.e., Chris
> Skelly) sending a checklist (or online survey) once per year to all  
> HDCs,
> requesting information such as the following:
>
> 1. Updated list of members.
> 2. Annual report of the year's activities, including a list of  
> proposals and
> modifications, any demo delay activity, etc.
> 3. Updates of any significant documents, such as changes to bylaws,  
> rules &
> procedures, design guidelines, maps...
> 4. Summary of any CPC projects done over the past year
> 5. Confirmation that all scenic roads and LHD homes have been  
> looked at and
> certified as being compliant with the law.
> 6. A free-form area to list other items of potential interest, such  
> as new
> housing in sensitive areas, issues relating to publicly-owned historic
> buildings, and so on.
> 7. Maybe a survey to run by HC members, getting a general sense on  
> things
> like demo delay, HDC signage, sense of community support, or whatever.
>
> And whatever else is top priority, though it can't become so  
> obnoxiously
> complex and time-consuming that we'd never do it.
>
> Basically, I'd see this as a way to improve communication with the  
> state,
> to help keep us all on track regarding top priorities, and also to  
> remind
> all HC members that there are resources available to us regarding  
> our work.
>
> I think some kind of accountability might help spur some higher  
> quality
> activity, if the dynamic of many HCs is like that of mine. A little  
> external
> prodding could help us accomplish more.
>
> And an annual guest visitor from the state (i.e., Chris Skelly...)  
> would
> make us feel so important and relevant.
>
> Also, what about a state-sponsored annual meeting/retreat/training  
> session
> of HC chairs? Maybe, something regionally based would be best.  
> Something
> very focused, productive, and informative, with free lunch and a T- 
> shirt.
>
> --Jonathan
>
>
> ===============================================
>
> Jonathan Feist, Chair
> Harvard Historical Commission
> 978-772-4864 (home)
> 617-747-2148 (Berklee office)
>
> Preserve Historical Harvard, MA:
> http://harvard.ma.us/histcomm.htm
>
>
>
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