[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-February 3, 2014

Mon Feb 3 14:13:54 EST 2014

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER
Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission
February 3, 2014

Symposium on Directions in Twenty-First Century Preservation
Historic New England and Roger Williams University's School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation are pleased to announce that three nationally-noted preservation advocates will be speaking at "Directions in Twenty-First Century Preservation," a symposium to be held on March 29, 2014. Joining preservation students and professionals from around the region at the Bay Point Inn and Conference Center on the Roger Williams University campus in Portsmouth, R.I., will be University of Virginia School of Architecture Professor Daniel Bluestone, director of the university's Historic Preservation program, Dr. Andréa Livi Smith, director of the Center for Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington, and heritage architect Julian Smith, Executive Director of Willowbank, a Canadian educational institution at the cutting edge of heritage conservation training. These distinguished preservation practitioners will speak on some of the larger challenges facing the field of historic preservation in the twenty-first century. A regional perspective on opportunities and issues confronting New England preservation will be provided in presentations and commentary from area leaders and advocates, including Deputy State Historic Preservation Officers Michael Steinitz, of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and Richard Greenwood, of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission. Finally, the recent work of students and recent graduates of historic preservation and related programs will be showcased in poster and lightning talk (pecha-kucha) sessions.  For more information on the agenda and to register, see http://www.historicnewengland.org/events-programs/directions-in-twenty-first-century-preservation-1

ALTERNATE MEMBERS ON LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS
The state law for local historical commissions was recently amended to allow alternate members on local historical commissions.  This helpful change will provide a method for reaching a quorum when a meeting of a local historical commission does not have enough regular members present, due to absence or inability to act. While the state law for local historic district commissions has allowed alternate members, the state law for local historical commissions has not previously included this language. The new language is below:
An Act authorizing alternate members on local historical commissions.
SECTION 1.
Section 8D of chapter 40 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the tenth sentence the following sentences:- Alternate members may be appointed in like manner as provided for in this section not exceeding in number the principal members.  In the case of the absence or inability to act on the part of a principal member, the place of such member shall be taken by an alternate member designated by the chairman.
SECTION 2.
Said section 8D, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 42, and in lines 43 and 44, after the word "members" the following words:- and  alternate members.
SECTION 3.
Said section 8D, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 45, after the word "member" the following words:-or alternate member.

Entering Historic District Signs
Many communities in Massachusetts have placed "Entering Historic District" signs at the boundaries of their local historic district or national register district.  These signs are an excellent way to recognize a designated area for visitors and residents alike. Examples of Entering Historic District signs from Massachusetts can now be found at this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/114647614@N05/sets/72157639882061354/  If your community has a sign not included here, please feel free to send a digital image to Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.

SPRINGFIELD PASSES DEMOLITION DELAY ORDINANCE
The city of Springfield recently passed a demolition delay ordinance bringing the number of municipalities in Massachusetts with demolition delay to 136.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER
February 12, 2014
MHC Establishing Local Historic Districts Workshop.  Sharon, MA.  7:30pm. For more information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.
February 14, 2014
MHC Preservation Awards Nominations Due.  Visit www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc> for more information.
March 20, 2014
MHC Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning Workshop.  Seekonk. 6:30pm.  For more information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.
March 22, 2014
Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference. Worcester.  For more information, visit http://www.massland.org/conference.
March 29, 2014
Directions in Twenty-First Century Preservation symposium.  For more information, see above.

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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.  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

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