HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-20 ad Hoc West Street Historic District Study Committee MinutesI/
Ad Hoc West Street Local Historic District Study Committee Minutes
gay 2003 at 7:30 pm Conference Room at Town Hall
in Attendance: Not in Attendance:
Jess Brallier Kristie Jochmann CD P
Everett Blodgett
Sally Hoyt
Clayton Jones
Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Gail Wood
➢ Members introduced. Clayton Jones nominated as Committee Chair, Everett Blodgett
nominated as Committee vice-Chair and Sharlene Reynolds Santo nominated as Committee
secretary. All positions were accepted by unanimous vote. All members were asked that
they make sure they have been sworn in by the town clerk.
➢ Committee discussed purpose of group to decide if there should be a recommendation to
Board of Selectman to establish a local historic district in the West Street area. If
recommendation is made it will include a definition and then must be accepts by the Board
of selectman. Recommendation can still be rejected if atleast half of the residents put
objections in writing by a date to be determined in the future. Clay reviewed a flow chart
on establishing a Local Historic District.
ocal Historic Districts; as per Massachusetts Historical Commission MHC do not prevent
changes from occurring, nor do they prevent new construction or development. The intent
is to make changes and additions harmonious, and prevent the intrusion of incongruous
elements that might detract from the aesthetic and historic values of the district. Historic
District commissions may only review changes to exterior architectural features visible from
a public way. This board could ac t a second zoning board for an established district.
➢ After this group has a good understanding of what to recommend this information must be
communicated to the West Street residents.
A West Street is under threat of traffic and 40 B construction potential Rt. 128/93 interchange
and is rich is history politically and historically. This areas needs to be protected.
r The Committee agreed that indeed this study is worth pursuing and that the area will begin
at the County Road area and continues to 320 West St. Area may be revised if needed
➢ Sharlene agreed to make copies of a map including all of the properties in question and of
the inventory pages for houses
➢ Clayton will obtain copies of the MHC's Establishing Local Historic Districts guidebook
➢ All committee members were asked to walk to area to become more familiar with it and
come up with ideas for restriction criteria.
➢ Next meeting currently scheduled for 19 May at 7:30 pm Sharlene will post.
flay will invite Chris Skelly from MHC to attend this meeting.