[MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks

Mon Oct 19 00:48:25 EDT 2009

I agree wholeheartedly with Cindy's recommendations.  Honey IS more effective than vinegar.  

I also think you should respond to Mr. Hinchcliffe's invitation to "come by some day for some fresh produce, for a swing through our conservation land, or for some conversation in our quaint post office. Come to admire St. Benedict's Abbey with its view of Mt. Wachusett. Not everything you will see is as preciously pickled as in Williamsburg, but we love it anyway."  From his description, Still River sounds is an idyllic place, and clearly the residents love and care for it.  Perhaps a visit (part of which could be an informal walkaround of the village) could lead to conversations about the qualities and the places that the residents value, which might evolve into a dialogue about the residents' hopes and fears for keeping those cherished qualities safe in the future. That would give the commission an opportunity to open its community preservation tool chest, so the residents could choose the tools and techniques that would be most comfortable, practical and effective for them.

Linda Ray Wilson
NH Deputy SHPO

http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr

________________________________

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu on behalf of Cindy Brockway
Sent: Sun 10/18/2009 10:15 AM
To: Jonathan Feist; Carol Carlson
Cc: MHC MHC listserve
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks

Great preservation is always a combination of the right time, the right place, the right people, and the right politics.  It is clear that perhaps your "right time" is not here yet for this issue.  Better to accomplish other agenda items and move some things forward in a positive way than to antagonish too many and lose ground.  The right time will come, although sometimes the lesson is taught at the expense of an important property which becomes the rallying point for the preservation of others.  I have been involved with different communities in some seriously difficult situations, and have found that responding to antagonism usually results in more bad press for both sides.  

Cindy Brockway

	----- Original Message ----- 
	From: Jonathan Feist <mailto:jfeist at charter.net>  
	To: Carol Carlson <mailto:carolmcarl at comcast.net>  
	Cc: MHC MHC listserve <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>  
	Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:10 PM
	Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks

	Hi Carol, 

	Thanks for your input.

	Harvard has a single commission that functions both as a Historical Commission and a Historical District Commission. I am chair.

	We have two local historical districts: Shaker Village and the Harvard Common.

	Still River would be a natural choice for a new district, based on its history and density of antique houses, some of which date back to the 1600s. The subject has really been avoided for about 30 years though, due to purported opposition from the residents. I wonder, though, whether the nay-sayers are still in the majority, or if they are just unusually vocal. Others have quietly voiced their support to me.

	That said, we're really not very close to trying to get this through! There are other projects that I consider more urgent for us, currently, though the recent flurry of activity might force us to change priorities.

	--Jonathan

	On Oct 17, 2009, at 4:33 PM, Carol Carlson wrote:

		Jonathan:
		I finally found Still River - I had no clue where it was, but followed my nose to Harvard and see it is listed on the town's web site as a 4 century old village.   Sounds very interesting, and I may have to make a trip to Harvard one of these days.  However, from what I'm reading, it appears that Harvard has an appointed Historical Commission but not a Historic District Commission.   From what I've seen, there is a huge different between the two.  Does your Historical Commission have the duties and powers of a LHD, and if not, what would be the point of creating (via town meeting vote I presume) a historic district in Still River?

		I think your last paragraph is right on the mark, and is about all you need to say in response to such negative and hurtful words from a townsman.  

		Best,
		Carol M Carlson
		Bedford, MA HDC

		Jonathan Feist wrote: 

			Hi all, 

			Things are getting uglier here. A member of the aforementioned disruptive contingent has now called us "busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks" in the local paper. Actually, he probably means everyone on this listserv, in that categorization, besides just Chris Skelly and I (and might I mention how honored I am to be so-grouped with Chris...). 

			The actual text of the letter is appended below. Pretty much all the facts are deeply twisted, beyond the offensive language used. 

			I'm getting some feedback from others on the HC that I shouldn't respond, personally, as it will appear as tit-for-tat, and sinking to his level. I'm not enough of a politician to know exactly what to do, in practical terms of what would yield the best result, though I already drafted a pretty lengthy response. Any thoughts? 

			I actually think that such rhetoric makes the writer seem like a crackpot, and I'm actually not particularly offended, personally. But I think it is exceptionally bad form, and it needs to be called out. 

			--Jonathan 

			======= 

			Letter to the Editor, Harvard Press, October 16, 2009 

			Residents against Still River historical district 

			On Oct. 6, a group of Still River residents attended a meeting of the Historical Commission. We had seen evidence that they had been discussing a historical district for Still River. Chairman Feist tried to poo-poo our concerns, saying that discussions were very preliminary and that nothing would happen without Still River input, even though he felt it would be good for us-e.g., promising to spare us from 40B development. 

			However, meeting minutes for 2008 and 2009 record discussions about a historical district, none involving input from Still River. In May, the minutes noted that "we are now in the initial phases of educational outreach," (Oh, really?). In February, the minutes summarized a meeting with Chris Skelly, director of local government programs at the Mass. Historical Commission. Skelly advised patience, plus partnering with the schools to increase understanding of Harvard history-in other words, plant the seeds in the children and wait for them to influence the parents. 

			Here is some actual input: Still River does not need, and as far as I can tell, does not want a collection of busy-body neighborhood-nazis [sic] and control freaks running our affairs. We live in our corner of Harvard because it is friendly, relaxed, and mutually trusting. We do not seek exploitation as a historical destination. Harvard's bogeyman, 40B, is not deterred by a historical district. Do not try to scare us, to patronize us, or to pander to commercial preservationists in the name of Still River. 

			But do come by some day for some fresh produce, for a swing through our conservation land, or for some conversation in our quaint post office. Come to admire St. Benedict's Abbey with its view of Mt. Wachusett. Not everything you will see is as preciously pickled as in Williamsburg, but we love it anyway. 

			Fred Hinchliffe 
			Still River 

			===== 

			================================ 
			Jonathan Feist 
			jfeist at charter.net * 978-772-4864 
			Blog: Delights and Processes http://blogs.townonline.com/delight/ 
			Writing about Music http://jonathanfeist.berkleemusicblogs.com/ 

			****************************** 
			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 
			******************************** 

	================================
	Jonathan Feist
	jfeist at charter.net * 978-772-4864
	Blog: Delights and Processes http://blogs.townonline.com/delight/
	Writing about Music http://jonathanfeist.berkleemusicblogs.com/

________________________________

	******************************
	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
	********************************