[MassHistPres] Electric Meters in Historic Districts

[Burks, Sarah]

Unless your Commission has taken a vote to exempt electric (or gas) meters from review, they would qualify as structures subject to the review and approval of an historic district commission.  In the last year or two, we've seen a large increase in the number of meters required by the utilities (in Cambridge it's NSTAR) to be installed outside. Of course the closest and least expensive location is usually center front, but that's the least desirable place from the historic district commission's point of view.  It used to be that we could write a letter to the utility asking them to keep the meter inside or to put it in an inconspicuous location, but that seems to no longer do the trick. We do require that the property owner apply for a meter installation proposed for a location visible from a public way.

It's great that National Grid is being cooperative and has asked for permission from your commission. Do you have a completed application? I hope you can work with them and the church to find an appropriate location for the installation.


_____________________
Sarah L. Burks
Preservation Planner
Cambridge Historical Commission
831 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Fl.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone 617-349-4687; Fax 617-349-3116; TTY 617-349-6112
http://www.cambridgema.gov/historic



From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of james howard
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:53 PM
To: Historic Districts
Subject: [MassHistPres] Electric Meters in Historic Districts

The Wenham Historic district Commission has never bothered to require approval of the placement of electric meters on the outside of buildings in the Historic District.  Now National Grid, the local electric company, is asking for approval of the placement of an electric meter on the outside of an old church in the center of the district.  We were wondering whether any other historic District Commissions require the approval of the placement of electric meters on the outside if buildings in historic districts. Or perhaps are they exempt from the need to be approved?

Thanks for your help.

Jim Howard
Chairman
Wenham Historic District Commission


James M. Howard
149 Main Street
Wenham, MA 01984
Tel: 978-468-1709
Cell: 978-317-4862
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