[MassHistPres] Annual Reporting to Mass Historic

[Marcia Starkey]

Hello,

While I agree that there is a great need to connect HCs across the state, 
I'm not sure that a report will bring in the many commissions who haven't 
reported to other queries. The lesson of  conservations commissions is that 
until they had a responsibility that gave them respect, they made little 
difference overall.

I would like to see a revision of Chap. 40 legislation to acknowledge that 
historic resources are an important part of municipal planning and that HCs 
must be made responsible for that. And that municipal plans should correlate 
with municipal laws and permits. In other words, align words and deeds.

This isn't what we like to call "rocket science" but timing is everything 
and the time seems right. Its really a positive message for a negative 
climate and can be lots of fun!

Marcia Starkey, Greenfield


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Feist" <jfeist at charter.net>
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:37 AM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Annual Reporting to Mass Historic


> 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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