No subject


Tue Oct 27 07:32:57 EDT 2009


building, of the names of  owners and one or more photos. Apparently there=
 is=20
nothing about the  buildings: dates, materials, style, etc.
If my understanding of this  is correct, I would ask, what is the purpose=
=20
of putting this online? How  do you imagine someone would use the=20
information? What research value does  it have?
Unless you have compelling  reasons to put it online (i.e., the informatio=
n=20
can answer certain  questions and you can envision how people would benefi=
t=20
from having it),  why annoy or alienate people by doing it? But if there=
=E2=80=99s=20
a good reason,  you should be able to make a case to the doubters and win=
=20
them  over.
The fact that protecting  one=E2=80=99s privacy these days is difficult is=
 no=20
reason to abet the  process.
=20
Sara  Wermiel
Historic Preservation  Consultant
Jamaica Plain,  MA
=20
=20
=20
From: _masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu_=20
(mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu)  [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.=
umb.edu] On Behalf Of Joyce  Anderson
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 8:27  AM
To: _masshistpres at cs.umb.edu_ (mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu)=20
Cc: Alex Fiandaca; Lindberg, Matt;  'Lee, Joe'; Sheila Dubman
Subject: [MassHistPres] Princeton,  MA


=20
The  Princeton Historical Commission has in its possession a collection of=
 =20
index cards with each card listing the former owners of the houses.   This=
=20
has been known historically  as =E2=80=98The Princeton House File=E2=80=99=
. The  collection=20
of approximately 300 index cards were compiled by two former  members who=
=20
were assessors for the Town of Princeton in the 1950=E2=80=99s. Most  of=
 the cards=20
have been kept up to date with the current owners names on  them. One memb=
er=20
of our commission has transcribed the cards into a word  document while=20
another member has inserted current (2006) photographs of  the houses, as=
 well as=20
historic photographs to correspond with the  information. We would like to=
=20
put this information on the PHC webpage for  the town, however there has=
=20
been concern from others in town that this  should not be allowed because=
 of=20
the potential  for robberies and the  invasion of privacy.  I would like=
 to=20
know if anyone on our mailing  list has any comments or suggestions.
Thank  you in advance.
Joyce  Anderson
Princeton  Historical  Commission

******************************
For  administrative questions regarding this list, please contact=20
_Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us_ (mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us)=
  directly. =20
PLEASE DO NOT  "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST.
MassHistPres mailing list
_MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu_ (mailto:MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu)=20
_http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres_=20
(http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres)=20
********************************














=3D

******************************
For  administrative questions regarding this list, please contact =20
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE  WH=
OLE LIST.
MassHistPres mailing  list
MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
********************************

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<HTML XMLNS:O><HEAD>
<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF-8" http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META name=3DGENERATOR content=3D"MSHTML 8.00.7600.16722"></HEAD>
<BODY style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt" id=3Dr=
ole_body   bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7><=
FONT id=3Drole_document   color=3D#000000 size=3D2 face=3DArial>
<DIV>The Westport Historical Commission Inventory does not include present=
=20
owners in its data online, but it is very simple to go to the GIS survey=
 and=20
find out once you know the address.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Betty Slade</DIV>
<DIV>Westport</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 3/28/2011 8:44:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,=20
estsure at comcast.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE   style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MAR=
GIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT     style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=3D#=
000000 size=3D2 face=3DArial>I might=20
  add to my earlier suggestions about putting house histories on-line that=
 I=20
  find the MHC forms a nuisance when they require the name of the current=
=20
  owners. &nbsp;The people named as owners when the Brewster historic hous=
e=20
  survey was done some 20 or 30 years ago are mostly long gone by now.=20
  &nbsp;That info is so short-lived, these days, I see no good reason to=
 include=20
  contemporary (modern) owner identification on more or less permanent=20
  historical studies--unless, perhaps, that owner was able to contribute=
=20
  something substantial to the actual history. &nbsp;=20
  <DIV><SPAN style=3D"WHITE-SPACE: pre" class=3DApple-tab-span></SPAN>Elle=
n St.=20
  Sure&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><BR>
  <DIV>
  <DIV>On Mar 28, 2011, at 8:32 PM, Fred Merriam wrote:</DIV><BR     class=
=3DApple-interchange-newline>
  <BLOCKQUOTE type=3D"cite">
    <DIV       style=3D"WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space;=
 -webkit-line-break: after-white-space"       dir=3Dltr>
    <DIV dir=3Dltr>
    <DIV style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"=
>
    <DIV>The Chelmsford Historical Commission wrestled with the issues tha=
t=20
    Richard Casella discussed below back in 2003, but settled on a web=20
    presentation approach similar to what Ellen St. Sure proposed. We post=
ed all=20
    the State Inventory material that would be of interest to the public,=
=20
    especially the age and Historical Significance information, plus deed=
=20
    records going back to the beginning, relevant news paper articles, bac=
kup=20
    research and old and new photos. We did not make any effort to purge=
 current=20
    ownership information if there were no changes since the inventory was=
=20
    completed, but removed any information related to recent valuations an=
d any=20
    photos other than street views for security. We were prepared to remov=
e any=20
    material on receipt of a complaint, but there have been zero complaint=
s=20
    since going on-line in 2003. We have received positive feedback from=
 owners=20
    who take pride in and appreciate knowing the history of their own home=
 and=20
    other assets in the town such as monuments and public buildings. Sever=
al=20
    real estate professionals also mentioned that the information was help=
ful in=20
    making a sale of an inventoried property. You can find the site easily=
 with=20
    a Google search if you want to check it out.</DIV>
    <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
    <DIV>Fred Merriam</DIV>
    <DIV>Chelmsford Historical Commission (and site webmaster)</DIV>
    <DIV>
    <DIV       style=3D"FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY:=
 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DE=
CORATION: none"></DIV>
    <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt tahoma">
    <DIV style=3D"BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
    <DIV style=3D"font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A       title=3Dmailto:=
estsure at comcast.net href=3D"mailto:estsure at comcast.net">Ellen St.=20
    Sure</A> </DIV>
    <DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, March 27, 2011 3:48 PM</DIV>
    <DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=3Dmailto:rcasella at historicdoc.com       href=
=3D"mailto:rcasella at historicdoc.com">Richard Casella</A> </DIV>
    <DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=3Dmailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu       href=
=3D"mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu">masshistpres at cs.umb.edu</A> </DIV>
    <DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: [MassHistPres] Princeton, MA</DIV></DIV></DIV=
>
    <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
    <DIV       style=3D"FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY:=
 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DE=
CORATION: none">Why=20
    not just post for the public the street address, photos old and ne, an=
d=20
    whatever information (always interesting if well researched and well=
=20
    written) that you have on the original owners/builders/occupants and=
 perhaps=20
    a few subsequent (early) owners/occupants, but omit current and recent=
=20
    ownership altogether?&nbsp; Would anybody object to A House With a His=
tory,=20
    if properly explained?&nbsp; Surely the current owners would enjoy kno=
wing=20
    more about their houses, and a documented history could actually incre=
ase=20
    the value of the property, if they should ever want to sell.&nbsp;=20
    <DIV>
    <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
    <DIV>Ellen St. Sure</DIV>
    <DIV>Brewster Historical Commission</DIV>
    <DIV>
    <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
    <DIV>
    <DIV>On Mar 27, 2011, at 11:34 AM, Richard Casella wrote:</DIV><BR  =
     class=3DApple-interchange-newline>
    <BLOCKQUOTE type=3D"cite"><SPAN         style=3D"WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANS=
FORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; FONT: medium time=
s; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; WORD-SPACING:=
 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spac=
ing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adju=
st: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"         class=3DApple-style-span=
>
      <DIV lang=3DEN-US vlink=3D"purple" link=3D"blue">
      <DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D068074014-27032011><FONT=
 color=3D#0000ff         size=3D2 face=3DArial>Ms. Wermiel's important poi=
nts bring two caveats to this=20
      discussion: "For every action there is a reaction" and "Just because=
=20
      something can be done does not mean it should be done."&nbsp; As a=
=20
      consultant who conducts field surveys (and a former member of a Hist=
oric=20
      District Commission), I can attest to the fact that a significant an=
d=20
      vocal segment of the population continues to question how much histo=
ric=20
      preservation regulation we need. Bad feelings toward preservation=20
      activities can spread harder and faster than the good ones. Whether=
=20
      Princeton HC might somehow be subject to a lawsuit - baseless or not=
 - is=20
      beside the point; if someone is sufficiently "annoyed or alienated"=
 they=20
      will speak out and letters and editorials will follow. Since the ide=
a is=20
      already meeting resistance, perhaps a reasonable compromise for now=
 might=20
      be a news post on the PHC website stating that the information has=
 been=20
      compiled and will be made available to researchers who submit a writ=
ten=20
      request with their name, address and purpose. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D068074014-27032011><FONT=
 color=3D#0000ff         size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D068074014-27032011><FONT=
 color=3D#0000ff         size=3D2 face=3DArial>Richard Casella</FONT></SPA=
N></DIV>
      <DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D068074014-27032011><FONT=
 color=3D#0000ff         size=3D2 face=3DArial>Portsmouth, RI</FONT></SPAN=
></DIV>
      <DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT><BR>&nbsp;</=
DIV>
      <DIV dir=3Dltr lang=3Den-us class=3DOutlookMessageHeader align=3Dlef=
t>
      <HR tabIndex=3D-1>
      <FONT size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><B>From:</B><SPAN         class=3DApple=
-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><A         style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORA=
TION: underline"         title=3Dmailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu =
        href=3D"mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu">masshistpres-bounc=
es at cs.umb.edu</A><SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN>=
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]<SPAN         class=3DApple-conver=
ted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><B>On Behalf Of<SPAN         class=3DApple-converte=
d-space>&nbsp;</SPAN></B>SARA=20
      WERMIEL<BR><B>Sent:</B><SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-space>&=
nbsp;</SPAN>Saturday, March 26, 2011 6:42=20
      PM<BR><B>To:</B><SPAN class=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><A=
         style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"         title=
=3Dmailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu         href=3D"mailto:masshistpres at cs.u=
mb.edu">masshistpres at cs.umb.edu</A><BR><B>Subject:</B><SPAN         class=
=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN>Re: [MassHistPres] Princeton,=20
      MA<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
      <DIV></DIV>
      <DIV style=3D"page: wordsection1" class=3DWordSection1>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">From what you write, it=20
      seems that the information consists, for each building, of the names=
 of=20
      owners and one or more photos. Apparently there is nothing about the=
=20
      buildings: dates, materials, style, etc.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">If my understanding of this=20
      is correct, I would ask, what is the purpose of putting this online?=
 How=20
      do you imagine someone would use the information? What research valu=
e does=20
      it have?<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">Unless you have compelling=20
      reasons to put it online (i.e., the information can answer certain=
=20
      questions and you can envision how people would benefit from having=
 it),=20
      why annoy or alienate people by doing it? But if there=E2=80=99s a=
 good reason,=20
      you should be able to make a case to the doubters and win them=20
      over.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">The fact that protecting=20
      one=E2=80=99s privacy these days is difficult is no reason to abet=
 the=20
      process.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt"><O:P></O:P></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">Sara=20
      Wermiel<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">Historic Preservation=20
      Consultant<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt">Jamaica Plain,=20
      MA<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN         style=3D"COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FO=
NT-SIZE: 12pt"><O:P></O:P></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: mediu=
m none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER=
-TOP: rgb(181,196,223) 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP:=
 3pt">
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><B><SPAN         style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: tahoma,=
 sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN         style=3D"FONT-=
FAMILY: tahoma, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN         class=3DApple-c=
onverted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><A         style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATI=
ON: underline"         title=3Dmailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu   =
      href=3D"mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu">masshistpres-bounces=
@cs.umb.edu</A><SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN>[m=
ailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]<SPAN         class=3DApple-converte=
d-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><B>On Behalf Of<SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-=
space>&nbsp;</SPAN></B>Joyce=20
      Anderson<BR><B>Sent:</B><SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-space>=
&nbsp;</SPAN>Saturday, March 26, 2011 8:27=20
      AM<BR><B>To:</B><SPAN class=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><A=
         style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"         title=
=3Dmailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu         href=3D"mailto:masshistpres at cs.u=
mb.edu">masshistpres at cs.umb.edu</A><BR><B>Cc:</B><SPAN         class=3DApp=
le-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN>Alex Fiandaca; Lindberg, Matt;=20
      'Lee, Joe'; Sheila Dubman<BR><B>Subject:</B><SPAN         class=3DAp=
ple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN>[MassHistPres] Princeton,=20
      MA<O:P></O:P></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><O:P></O:P>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The=20
      Princeton Historical Commission has in its possession a collection=
 of=20
      index cards with each card listing the former owners of the houses.&=
nbsp;=20
      This has been known historically&nbsp; as =E2=80=98The Princeton Hou=
se File=E2=80=99. The=20
      collection of approximately 300 index cards were compiled by two for=
mer=20
      members who were assessors for the Town of Princeton in the 1950=E2=
=80=99s. Most=20
      of the cards have been kept up to date with the current owners names=
 on=20
      them. One member of our commission has transcribed the cards into a=
 word=20
      document while another member has inserted current (2006) photograph=
s of=20
      the houses, as well as historic photographs to correspond with the=
=20
      information. We would like to put this information on the PHC webpag=
e for=20
      the town, however there has been concern from others in town that th=
is=20
      should not be allowed because of the potential&nbsp; for robberies=
 and the=20
      invasion of privacy.&nbsp; I would like to know if anyone on our mai=
ling=20
      list has any comments or suggestions.<O:P></O:P></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Thank=20
      you in advance.<O:P></O:P></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Joyce=20
      Anderson<O:P></O:P></DIV>
      <DIV         style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, san=
s-serif; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Princeton=20
      Historical=20
      Commission<O:P></O:P></DIV></DIV>******************************<BR>F=
or=20
      administrative questions regarding this list, please contact<SPAN =
        class=3DApple-converted-space>&nbsp;</SPAN><A         style=3D"COL=
OR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"         title=3Dmailto:Christopher.S=
kelly at state.ma.us         href=3D"mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us">C=
hristopher.Skelly at state.ma.us</A><SPAN         class=3DApple-converted-spa=
ce>&nbsp;</SPAN>directly.&nbsp; PLEASE DO NOT=20
      "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST.<BR>MassHistPres mailing list<BR><A     =
    style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"         title=3Dmail=
to:MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu         href=3D"mailto:MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu"=
>MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu</A><BR><A         style=3D"COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECO=
RATION: underline"         title=3Dhttp://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listi=
nfo/masshistpres         href=3D"http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinf=
o/masshistpres">http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres</A=
><BR>********************************<BR></DIV></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
    <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DI=
V><BR></DIV>=3D<BR><BR>******************************<BR>For=20
  administrative questions regarding this list, please contact=20
  Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.&nbsp; PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO=
 THE=20
  WHOLE LIST.<BR>MassHistPres mailing=20
  list<BR>MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu<BR>http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/lis=
tinfo/masshistpres<BR>********************************<BR></FONT></BLOCKQU=
OTE></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>

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