[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-August 8, 2011

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER

Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

August 8, 2011

 

LOCAL COMMISSION TRAINING WORKSHOPS

As we head towards the fall, local commissions should consider hosting a
regional training workshop from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Topics include Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning,
Demolition Delay Bylaws, Establishing Local Historic Districts as well
as others.  Presentations include handouts, a powerpoint presentation
and lots of time for questions, answers and discussion.  

 

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES ON THE WEB

A recent project by the Massachusetts Historical Commission found that
the following local historic district commissions have included their
design guidelines on their commission's website:  Acton, Andover,
Arlington, Barnstable, Bedford, Belchertown, Belmont, Boston, Boxford,
Brookline, Chelmsford,  Concord, Dedham, Gloucester, Grafton, Harvard,
Harwich, Hingham, Holden, Hull, Lenox, Lexington, Methuen, New Bedford,
Newburyport, North Reading, Oak Bluffs, Plymouth, Reading, Salem,
Sherborn, Somerville, Springfield, Sudbury, Topsfield, Wenham, West
Tisbury and Westport.  MHC compiled all of the available design
guidelines as PDFs.  If you are preparing or revising your own design
guidelines, these electronic samples may be useful to you.  For more
information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> .  If your community's name
isn't listed above but your design guidelines are available on the web,
please let MHC know the web address.  

 

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT ENFORCEMENT EXAMPLES

In a previous Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter, MHC asked to hear
from historic district commissions that have dealt with a recent
violation and enforcement action.  We are still seeking additional
examples. If your historic district commission recently had a violation
enforced by the municipality or through a court action, please let me
know.  Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> 

 

BUILDING INSPECTORS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

How is the relationship between your commission and your building
inspector?  Building inspectors play a key role in many aspects of local
historic preservation efforts.  This is especially true when your
community has a demolition delay bylaw or a local historic district.
However, even without these local regulatory tools, a building
inspector's responsibility to interpret the state building code and
protect public safety can have a major effect on historic preservation
activities in your community. Do you have a challenge or success story
to share about your building inspector?  Please let us know.
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us <mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>
Your responses will assist the MHC in our efforts to provide additional
assistance to commissions around the state.  

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Please forward this newsletter on to others that may be interested.  If
you are receiving this as a forwarded message and would like to receive
it directly, please contact the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission also has a listserve, known as
masshistpres, specifically for historic preservation.  You can join this
listserve by visiting
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
<http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres> .  This
newsletter is posted on masshistpres directly and sent to local
commission members.  We welcome your thoughts on what you would like to
see in this newsletter.  The website for the Massachusetts Historical
Commission is http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm> 

 

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