[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-June 20, 2011

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER

Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

June 20, 2011

 

TORNADO HISTORIC PRESERVATION RESPONSE MOBILIZING

Following the devastating tornado that ripped through Massachusetts on
June 1st, efforts are underway to assist communities dealing with the
many unstable historic buildings left in the tornado's path.  Many
buildings suffered from fallen trees, removal of roofs, collapsed walls
and smashed windows.  While numerous buildings and homes were completely
destroyed, many other buildings, even in the tornado's path, can or are
being rehabilitated.  Working with FEMA, MEMA and a broad coalition of
cultural resource professionals, Preservation Massachusetts, the
statewide historic preservation non-profit organization, is leading an
effort to bring expert volunteer teams into each town to assess the
damage, suggest stabilization techniques and put property owners in
touch with qualified contractors. Last week, Preservation Massachusetts,
the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Massachusetts
Historical Commission met with local officials in Monson and
Springfield, two of the hardest hit communities, to discuss strategies
for assessing the damage and bringing in teams of structural engineers,
architects and other experts as soon as possible.  If you feel you may
have something you could offer an assessment team and would like to
offer your services, contact Erin Kelly at ekelly at preservationmass.org
<mailto:ekelly at preservationmass.org>  or 617-723-3383 <tel:617-723-3383>
.  Last Wednesday, the President declared Hampden and Worcester counties
a major disaster area, making federal funding available to recovery
efforts. Owners of properties that were affected by the tornado event
should register with FEMA online or at one of the Disaster Recovery
Centers that have opened in the disaster area.   Related links with more
information:

MEMA (Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) 

www.mass.gov/stormrecovery <http://www.mass.gov/stormrecovery> 

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=14733
<http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=14733> 

http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/index.shtm
<http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/index.shtm> 

National Trust for Historic Preservation - Disaster Preparedness,
Planning and Response

http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/technical-assistance/disaste
r-recovery/
<http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/technical-assistance/disast
er-recovery/> 

Heritage Preservation - Guide to Navigating Federal Emergency Management
Agency and Small Business Administration Disaster Aid for Cultural
Institutions

www.heritagepreservation.org/federal
<http://www.heritagepreservation.org/federal> 

Heritage Preservation - Disaster Response Resources

http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TFcurrent.html
<http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TFcurrent.html> 

http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PDFS/Disaster.pdf
<http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PDFS/Disaster.pdf> 

 

BROOKLINE ESTABLISHES NEW LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT 

By a vote of 185-2, the town of Brookline established a new local
historic district at spring town meeting.   The Lawrence Local Historic
District is the sixth local historic district in Brookline.  Efforts in
the neighborhood to establish this local historic district moved quickly
last year following the application for a demolition permit for a Queen
Anne home within the district.

 

HISTORIC HOMEOWNER RESIDENTIAL TAX CREDIT BILLS FILED

Legislation has been re-filed to establish a historic rehabilitation
statewide tax credit for residential homeowners.  Similar to the bill
filed in 2008, it can be found at
http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H00766
<http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H00766> .  The link will
display the text of the bill and the summary of its progress through the
legislative process.  It is currently being reviewed by the Joint
Committee on Revenue, which is chaired by Senator Gale Candaras and Rep.
Jay Kaufman.  At the national level, a new bill known as the Historic
Homeownership Revitalization Act will be introduced soon.  This bill
would create a 20% tax credit for rehabilitation of a historic home with
a cap of $60,000.  

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER

June 22, 2011

Establishing Local Historic Districts Workshop, Northbridge, 6:30pm.
For more information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us> 

 

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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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