[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-December 21, 2009

[Skelly, Christopher @ SEC]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER

Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

December 21, 2009

 

This e-newsletter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission
Preservation Planning Division has been prepared for local historical
commissions, historic district commissions and others interested in
historic preservation activities around the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.  It is published roughly every other week.  If you have
suggestions or items of interest for this newsletter, please contact
Chris Skelly at the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us <mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!   

 

ARCHAEOLOGY AND LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS

The Power to Preserve is a special issue of CRM magazine about
archaeology and local governments (available online
http://crm.cr.nps.gov/issue.cfm?volume=21&number=10
<http://crm.cr.nps.gov/issue.cfm?volume=21&number=10> ). The article in
this CRM issue by Ed Bell and Brona Simon of the MHC is especially
pertinent to communities in Massachusetts. Many communities don't
realize that they have the most authority to consider ways to avoid
impacts and preserve important historic and archaeological places.
Cities and towns must "approve" all new proposed development projects.
In contrast, the MHC "reviews and comments" on those few projects that
require state and federal financing or permitting. The MHC review is a
"consultative process," not an approval. That's why communities have the
power to preserve!  Check to see that "historical and archaeological
resources" are mentioned in your town's bylaws among the other resource
types that are important to your town. Without this phrase, it is
difficult for you to advocate for these resources during reviews of
proposed projects. Propose an amendment to your town bylaws to include
the phrase "historic and archaeological resources."  Does your community
have a town-wide archaeological reconnaissance survey? Many towns are
using Community Preservation Act funds and applying for MHC's Survey and
Planning grants to produce planning maps showing archaeologically
sensitive areas. These maps are used to refine open space plans, to
locate important properties for acquisition for conservation and to
consider new development projects that the town may approve or deny. 

 

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN

During 2010, the Massachusetts Historical Commission will prepare the
2011-2015 State Historic Preservation Plan.  We will be looking for
broad input from many organizations and individuals.  If you'd like to
share your thoughts on the future direction of historic preservation
efforts in Massachusetts, we'll be offering a survey, regional meetings
and draft versions to review during the year.  We hope you will be a
part of this process.  

 

DEMOLITION DELAY BYLAW - TWO STEP DETERMINATIONS

Most demolition delay bylaws around the state include a two-step process
of determining whether a building is significant; then, following a
public hearing, determining if the building is preferably preserved.
Has your local historical commission found a building significant but
voted to determine the building not preferably preserved?  If so, please
contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> .  We'd like to hear about your
experiences.  

 

NEW LISTINGS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Dennis, Jacob Sears Memorial Library

Hamilton, Asbury Grove Historic District

Lowell - Boston, Middlesex Canal Historic and Archaeological District

(includes portions in Lowell, Chelmsford, Billerica, Wilmington, Woburn,
Winchester, Medford, Somerville and Boston)

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER

December 14, 2009 to March 15, 2010

The Preservation Movement Then and Now, Suffolk University

An exhibition from Historic New England tells the story of the
preservation movement in New England, drawing on the organization's rich
collection of documents and artifacts related to the Hancock House,
which once stood on Beacon Hill but was lost to developers in the 19th
century. The presentation coincides with the centennial of Historic New
England.  

January 13, 2010

MHC Workshop on Establishing Local Historic Districts, Easton.  For more
information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> .  

January 21, 2010

 MHC Workshop on Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning,
Manchester-by-the-Sea.  For more information, contact
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us <mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> .


 

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Please forward this newsletter on to others that may be interested.  If
you are receiving this as a forwarded message and would like to receive
it directly, please contact the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission also has a listserve, known as
masshistpres, specifically for historic preservation.  You can join this
listserve by visiting
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
<http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres> .  This
newsletter is posted on masshistpres directly and sent to local
commission members.  We welcome your thoughts on what you would like to
see in this newsletter.  The website for the Massachusetts Historical
Commission is http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm> 

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