Historical Commission (municipal office)

Written by Admin Eric

Sunday, 17 August 2008 19:52

(Text below is from the official town website description of the Historical Comission.)

The Commission, a seven member Board, appointed by the Selectmen, is a legal body under M.G.L. Chapter 40 paragraph 8D, mandated to protect and preserve historic buildings, structures, properties, cemeteries and archaeology sites in the Town. Managing and maintaining historic properties is also its responsibility.

The Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in its office, 2_nd floor, Forbes Municipal Building. All meetings (except Executive Sessions) are open to the Public. Meetings are posted on the Bulletin Board outside the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall and on the Local Cable Channel.

With cooperation from the Building Commissioner, the Commission enforces a Sign Bylaw on all Historic Properties, Historic Districts and Commercial Properties within 2,500

The Demolition Bylaw comes under its jurisdiction if any structure was built before 1950. Restritions apply in both of the aforementioned Bylaws.

All Site Plans are reviewed by the Commission for any historical or archaeological significance, If so deemed in the case of buildings and structures, each is examined and researched for historical and/or architectural importance. Sites identified as archaeologically sensitive a walk-over survey is required to assess the land before any development can occur.

The Commission works with the Planning Board when proposals for new developments are submitted as to the name of the Development and name(s) of its Streets. Names are chosen in cooperation with the developer from and extensive list compiled by the Commission.

In the Commission Office there are Research files and a small Library which includes information of the history, townspeople, genealogy, places and events dating from 1643. Maps, Survey Forms, Deeds and photographs both historic as well as contemporary are available for study.

Westborough has several National Register Districts, the West Mian Street Historic District and its extensions, the Vintonville Historic District and the Cedar Swamp Archaeology Historic District. Several individual properties are also listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places.

In 2008, the Commission is expecting the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Park Service to approve another extension to the West Main Street Historic District. This area to be designated the Parkman Parsonage extension includes properties on East Main, High, Milk, Prospect, Spring, Lincoln, State, Summer and Winter streets. Built from the early 1800’s to the early 1900’s, styles such as Second Empire, Stick Style, Queen Anne, Greek Revival, Rennaisance Revival, Italianate and Victorian are in this area. Westborough’s first minister Ebenezer Parkman’s house in the Federal Style was built in 1750 and is located on High Street.