[MassHistPres] LHD administration

[jworden at socialaw.com]

Arlington has seven districts, ranging in size from six to over 100 buildings, each administered by a separate seven-person commission.  However, six of the seven serve on all the commissions, the 7th member being a resident or property owner in the particular district.  Thus, the maximum number of commissioners at any meeting would be 13 (almost never happens).  The seven resident members (as well as the members of the local historical commission) are also alternate members of each commission, so that we can always be sure to have the requisite number for a quorum of a particular commission, which must of course vote on certificates and denials.  There is one chairman, one vice-chairman, one secretary, and one executive secretary for the whole.  At hearings, all of the commissioners may participate, but only the members of or alternates to the particular district can vote.  We go under the name  "Arlington Historic District Commissions" (but the s often gets lost in translation).  I devised this system many years ago, when we went from one to two districts.  It has served us well.

John Worden
Arlington HDCs 



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