[MassHistPres] Fw: Historic building repair

[Jean Derderian]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jean Derderian 
To: DiFranzaDesigns at aol.com 
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Historic building repair


In New Salem, in 1995, the Selectboard signed over the 1838 Old Academy Building to the New Salem Historical Commission, and for most of 14 years, the Historical Commission was able to contract with preservationists, architects, engineers, etc. to save and oversee work on this municipally owned building. Recently, the current Selectboard challenged this arrangement and town counsel advised that the 1995 transfer was not legal, as it had not been voted by the "town." Since that time, the Selectboard has asserted control over the building, claiming exclusive right to contract. 

However, during this time, the New Salem Historical Commission was granted a Save America's Treasurers grant for the building restoration / rehabilitation. As grantee, the NS Historical Commission is the only entity the National Park Service recognizes as responsible for the grant work and administration. So, we worked out a compromise that allows the historical commission to meet our responsibilities to the grant and restoration work, while allowing the Selectboard to be involved on behalf of the town.

To answer your question, the Historic District Commission and the town administration could work together to meet the needs of the building you are restoring, but if you need to have more control, including the ability to enter into contracts on behalf of the preservation work, you should put the question before the town for a vote, allowing for an interdepartmental transfer of municipally owned property.

Good luck!

Jean Derderian
Chair, New Salem Historical Commission
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: DiFranzaDesigns at aol.com 
  To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 2:57 PM
  Subject: [MassHistPres] Historic building repair


  Good afternoon:

  The exterior of 1829 Meeting House, a centerpiece of the Center Village Historic District in North Reading is being refurbished.  This building is owned by the town.  The contractor has damaged the plank siding and there is concern within the Historic district Commission that more problems will crop up.

  As I understand it, an Historic District Commission does not have control over the hiring of contractors nor does it supervise the work nor sign off on the completed project.  How do other towns handle this situation?

  Happy DiFranza, Chairman
  North Reading Historic District Commission



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