[MassHistPres] A historic stone bridge in Westport. What to do?

[Gretchen Schuler]

Hi Betty,
Is the bridge listed in the Westport Inventory (MACRIS) or also listed in
the National Register?  If listed in the NR then yes, there is supposed to
be some sort of notice - when using state funds to remedy - a PNF I
believe, but if just listed in the inventory I'm not sure that the
installation of guard rails would  rise to that level - hopefully others
who know will weigh in there.

One potential remedy could be COR-TEN steel guardrails.  On scenic roads in
Wayland we were able to convince our DPW to use COR-TEN steel guardrails (a
long time ago) - they have a rusted look and don't jump out as shiney and
as out of place as regular steel guardrails. That is probably the best you
can do - although not likely to want to spend the $s to reinstall.

Gretchen Schuler, Wayland Historic District Commission

On Tue, Sep 20, 2022 at 11:32 AM Betty Slade <dcolebslade at aol.com> wrote:

> Westport has a listed historic stone bridge on an historic roadway.
> Someone began clearing the invasives from the bridge which drew attention
> to it.  The town took upon itself to put up the typical highway guard rail
> using Chapter 90 funds.  There does not seem to have been a review before
> the work was done and no PNF  seems to have been submitted.
>
> Neighbors and others are very upset that this type of guardrails has been
> constructed.  The guard rails destroy the historic look of the bridge and
> they have diminished the recovery space, among other reasons.
>
> After I explained that the listserve was a great resource, I have been
> asked to consult with the listserve participants about the following
> questions:
>
> 1.  Isn't it necessary to file a PNF before such work on a historic object
> is undertaken?
>
> 2.  Does anyone have experience with such an issue?  Have remedies been
> obtained?
>
> 3.  Are there examples where a different type of guard rail has been used?
>
> 4.  Do any towns have protocols that town departments such as the highway
> department must abide by before undertaking such work?
>
> Thanks so much for your consideration.
>
> Betty Slade
> Community Preservation Committee Chair
> Westport, Ma.
>
>
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