[MassHistPres] Historical Markers For Houses

[Brian Stripp]

Here in Chelmsford we offer the house sign for free if the house on the
state inventory. we have a link on our website for homeowners to check as
well as the e-mail address to submit the request. Our cost is $80.00 each.
[image: image.png]

Brian Stripp, Chelmsford Historical Commission

On Wed, Mar 11, 2020 at 12:34 PM Lee Caras <lee.caras at gmail.com> wrote:

> At the Maynard Historical Commission, we have two programs, one for
> historical markers, and one for historical house plaques.  The markers are
> paid for by the commission and are for buildings that are listed with the
> Town as being protected by our demolition-delay bylaw.  The house plaques
> are paid for by individual property owners.  They do the property research
> (sometimes with commission help) and present that information to the
> commission.  Our markers and plaques are modest in price at $90, but
> attractive.  Lee Caras, Clerk, Maynard Historical Commission
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Mar 11, 2020, at 10:33 AM, Liebowitz, Jonathan J <
> Jonathan_Liebowitz at uml.edu> wrote:
>
> In Littleton, we're asking homeowners to pay for their plaques though in
> the past the Commission has done so.  We've never heard that it would be a
> conflict of interest; I guess that issue just never came up.  We decided
> after some discussion to have property owners to pay because we thought if
> lots of them applied it would be a drain on our very modest budget.  We get
> them for about $60.  Price, of course, depends on size, materials, design,
> etc.
>
> Jonathan J. Liebowitz
>
> Littleton Historical Commission
>
>
> Jonathan J. Liebowitz
> History Department
> University of Massachusetts Lowell
> Lowell, MA  01854
> USA
> 978-934-2530
> ------------------------------
> *From:* MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of
> RafaelRobertDelfin <rafadello at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 10, 2020 9:14:56 PM
> *To:* MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> *Subject:* [MassHistPres] Historical Markers For Houses
>
> *This e-mail originated from outside the UMass Lowell network.*
> ------------------------------
> Hello everyone,
>
> I launched a Historical Marker Program in my town, Dighton last year and I
> and other members of the Dighton Historical Commission have just approved
> the application of a resident whose house is over 100 years old and has a
> lot of historical significance.
>
> Initially, the Commission had voted to pay for the manufacture of the
> historical marker by using funds that the Town of Dighton had granted to
> the Commission. The average cost of a historical marker is $125. However,
> when the Town Administrator learned about this, she suggested that paying
> for the marker would be a conflict of interest (ergo, "unethical" and
> possibly "illegal'), and that the recipient should pay for the marker
> himself/herself. I have always thought that the Commission is acting on its
> own jurisdiction and that we have the right to use the funds as we see fit
> as long as it assists in the preservation of local history.
>
> I am addressing my questions to members of town historical commissions who
> grant historical markers to residents: "Do the recipients have to pay for
> the marker, or does your commission pay for it?" And would you
> agree/disagree with the Dighton Town Administrator's statement? I guess I
> am looking for a legitimate recourse to bring to the table when the Town
> Administrator attends our next meeting on April 10.
>
> Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
> --
> Rafa Delfin, Vice-Chair
> Dighton Historical Commission
> 774-766-2928
> rafadello at gmail.com
>
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