[MassHistPres] the merging of commissions

[Dennis De Witt]

Marisa

The HC had 5 members, the HDC had 7.  I think the same person chaired  
both at the time of the merger -- in any case, there was one common  
member.  The combined Preservation Commission has 7 + 4 alternates.  I  
think the ex-HC people who didn't fit the 40c requirements were made  
alternates.  There was no gradual change except to  that over the  
years as ex-HC members left they tended to be replaced by people who  
better fit the 40c requirements.

However, appointments often were significantly determined by available  
applicants and sometimes by BoS "agendas" unrelated to or in ignorance  
of 40c.  Experience here suggests that actively 'recruited" members  
are somewhat more likely to not work out or be counter-productive than  
those who seek appointment with little or no initial encouragement

Alternates are expected at all meetings and participate in all  
discussions and serve on sub-committees.  The only distinction is in  
voting.  Over the years there were occasional suggestions to reduce  
the number of alternates because 11 people at the table seemed a lot.   
Typically of course there have usually been more like 9 at any  
meeting.  Now that there are 5 LHDs that combined number is needed  
more to meet all the statutory membership requirements.

Dennis


On Oct 21, 2009, at 11:04 PM, Marisa Labozzetta wrote:

> Thank you, Dennis. Can I ask how you combined the two when you  
> merged? Increased members on one commission? Subcommittee? Gradual  
> integraton?
>
> Marisa
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dennis De Witt
> To: MHC MHC listserve
> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] the merging of commissions
>
> Brookline did it years ago in part because at the time there was a  
> mistaken notion that it was required to become an LHD.  We have  
> periodically realized how much Historical Commission type concerns  
> get lost in the press to deal with LHD design review and demo-delay  
> issues.  Occasionally the idea of un-merging has been suggested --  
> but never went very far.  Recently it has been mentioned again.  If  
> we were to do it I'd think that the DD law would be left with the HDC.
>
> Dennis De Witt
>
>
> On Oct 20, 2009, at 2:32 PM, Marisa Labozzetta wrote:
>
>> Dear Members,
>>
>> Our city is considering merging our Historic District Commission  
>> with our Historical Commission, primarily as a result of  
>> restructuring of staff. Right now we serve one historic district  
>> which is on the cusp of expansion. I would like to know if anyone  
>> has undergone this type of merger and, if so, how you managed the  
>> merger and what the final commission looks like.  What do you see  
>> as the pros and cons of such a merger, and what advice can you offer?
>>
>> Marisa Labozzetta
>> Northampton Historic District Commission
>>
>>
>>
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