[MassHistPres] gravesites and other structures

[Roseanne Saalfield]

A few days ago I posted  a query about which Mass towns give their LHDCs the right to oversight of burial grounds within their historic districts. Chris Skelly suggested that I broaden my query to see which LHDCs exercise oversight over other structures within their historic districts. Some examples might include war memorials, statues, the old stone walls of an animal pound -we have one on our Common - and our old Powderhouse.

I have been told that Salem, for example, has a closed historic burial ground in one of its districts that is completely under the control of the historic commission. In the ideal world our town's Shaker Burial Ground would be treated as if it were the property of the Cemetery Commission and the CC would petition us - as any property owner would - before working on any grave markers or stone walls within that site. (That is patently not how their work in this burial ground is being handled now)

Thanks for your help
Roseanne Saalfield
Chair
Town of Harvard Historic Commission