[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6195126,"mediaKeyId","3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa","parentId",3862828,"title","Commission and Preservation Society launch outreach for Highlands historic-district expansion","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",4205000,"endMs",4518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa&start=4205&end=4518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa/thumbnail_4205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195126/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Commission-and-Preservation-Society-launch-outreach-for-Highlands-historic-district-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195126-731c06c21250d817191f210ba5ca6e20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161609&Signature=emJs9l6g1i~qNASzMccNLxu~mhuiLShFzWDaRKelsqbdzQ37ONIdB~S~62ZiK9UY1nvR6Nn3zNP3RmNigUmSVHWt7fbjL7MNyz6P2SWnY52ioSQ08TsY4bT77ROU4W5VhMTB3eMPgernM1CepjGeOi2vVaAWvKsYPvn3O4UB8kgU5390TLQtR-Iz3hhLkTYByFTITBLOOXHIcfO5d1q9pGDzBrFApFUfD8ZuMq9fcCvGsq6fNRvjUhNdNn7B0UV-akc2A-~ySwo5Edos9tn7dBhbmBIaNjsmRh8yqvXEBhHON5LRfs2eSsJELGVhw3E3yyxzKnWNQlyv9Vx5b224Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-06-18T12:52:28Z","article","The Fall River Historical Commission and the Preservation Society of Fall River are moving forward with public outreach for a proposed expansion of the Highlands local historic district.

Alexander (Alex) Silva, president of the Preservation Society, told the commission that the society will mail a short letter to owners in the target area announcing the process, directing recipients to a Google survey (QR code) and noting consultant fieldwork this summer by the Public Archaeology Lab (PAL) of Pawtucket. Silva said the mailer will briefly recap the district’s 10‑year history, explain local-district protections and design guidelines, and include the QR code linking to a survey and frequently asked questions.

Staff reported that the commission’s survey had generated only a small number of responses to date and set a June 30 response target for initial outreach results; commissioners agreed it would be premature to narrow the proposed boundary until more responses arrived. The next steps are to mail the preservation society’s letter to the full targeted list, collect survey responses, and then refine the expansion map before PAL begins field documentation and the commission moves toward formal expansion steps later this year.

Commissioners discussed technical points such as whether the expansion should run to property corners or mid-street; staff noted the state now allows corner-based boundaries for expansions and that mapping details will be finalized as survey returns clarify support. Commission members asked staff and the Preservation Society to coordinate the mailing and to provide results to the commission for review at a later meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6.17.25 Historical Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Preservation Society and the Fall River Historical Commission are distributing mailers, a survey (QR code), and deploying consultants from the Public Archaeology Lab to document the proposed Highlands expansion; the commission will wait for survey responses before finalizing the expanded boundary.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6195132,"Fall River Historical Commission approves certificates of appropriateness for two High Street properties",505,255000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa&start=255&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6195132/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-Historical-Commission-approves-certificates-of-appropriateness-for-two-High-Street-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195132-7bb8ef9bc3d2d3021335bc1dfe218fa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161609&Signature=eK1H74hAG99Eh4hifywKdwHjv1qsN2fmEmuCHEAOPw7cqn2q09SSXEWRLOXi9-TZf-J93VYyJrzrRmaHOtvLfcloj-7IRiVudcriSLDPLEB7obC50yIqSHr6~gnTaFkQ6nQ~8P4Kp4FbOXKWNrnqTVLWgXGqrlI~K0i2m7CpuL1TAbfRVu7dVRIAE-IteHcrLHzXH2X2ia1Fp2RGDsP7ilBX2Ovw3NfVwNyNpeZ-q3uWP4GEBgLSbc5PianYIH9QfjgRi-3P~EJ1ZVfEKRQW9y4YTOt99DumtG4tDDz3CFcu9QAIrIZJh53YaIuWm8yURUpzTBcuuOGvKL-89HGLuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fall River Historical Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness Tuesday for exterior work at two High Street properties in the Highlands local historic district.

The commission voted to issue a certificate of appropriateness for 710 High Street after the owner, Pedro Vargas, described plans for a wood, pressure-treated side staircase with composite/PVC-clad 6-by-6 support posts similar to the existing front porch. Vargas said the posts would be covered with paintable PVC/composite material. Commissioners discussed details including the 36-inch guardrail height (allowed under code for the building type) and the option to reduce rail height visually to better match the front porch. The motion to issue the certificate was made by Rick Mancini, seconded by Ashley DeCunha, and passed on a roll-call vote.

For 637 High Street, owner Joseph Nasrallah asked the commission to accept the sample roofing material for a replacement asphalt shingle roof over the garage. Commissioners confirmed the replacement would match the existing asphalt material (3-tab or architectural shingle in kind) and that the garage roof is visible from the street. Work had already begun to strip the roof and ice-and-water underlayment was in place, the owner said. The commission voted to accept the materials and to prepare a certificate of appropriateness; the motion was made by Rick Mancini and seconded by Joyce Rodricks and passed on roll call.

In both cases commissioners noted that storm doors and storm windows remain excluded from review under commission practice but that any future replacement doors visible from the street would require review. Staff said they would forward certificates to the licensing department and building department to support permit issuance.","At its June meeting the commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a side stair and landing at 710 High Street and accepted material for a replacement asphalt roof on a garage at 637 High Street; both actions were approved by roll-call votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6195136,"Historical commission backs Fall River Congregational Church’s CPC grant request for tower stabilization",875,1073000,1948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa&start=1073&end=1948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa/thumbnail_1073000.jpg","/articles/6195136/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Historical-commission-backs-Fall-River-Congregational-Churchs-CPC-grant-request-for-tower-stabilization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195136-0f0d4c739063376d5e9f14903f96afc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161609&Signature=Fo9Rpq3U434~b2s-xcPIFon7c-IS4KIjVGYFKRLXsPtwSC8cG3vHMECFR7UaD9EFWA66fFGf5s6Glt92x9ia62W2oLXZtafgvgO4jr68TO7SD7vNsd8L7NmttvJhd31fgwm8D1ZbVXY7r99lsduFNEfYPV~-PzmxExKHy~2famD43FWfFoxfZ3lRAat9kJQWNHB6H0eR7I~S0xAbN8AdpFXSqxKc0-EtpaB1fOTdAcIBlHbd8iZ4dACYiLbYVUPKLLDMkzqnGnunsBFGb0GizYFikbyPWcU7fQRuk5EwTLG4mRyZJZDCTcv3qEMzqY7tUGhmIIf2C7noODjBkjHCEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fall River Historical Commission voted Tuesday to provide a letter of support for a Community Preservation Act (CPC) grant application from the Fall River Congregational Church, which is seeking funds for masonry repointing, structural repairs and tower stabilization.

Bremerine Stinson, of the Fall River Congregational Church, and Abby McQueen, assisting with the grant, described scaffolding already in place and work focused on stopping water ingress and stabilizing the church tower. “We’re at about a 115, and so we’re it's time to, to address the both structurally and, and the repointing of the tower,” a representative told the commission during the presentation.

Project estimates in the materials the congregation provided included a $1,759,400 figure described as the tower portion; the presenters said the total project estimate quoted in August 2024 is approximately $4,000,000. The church said it has spent about $600,000 on work to date and plans to seek multiple grants; one grant the church has applied for requires a 50% match, and the church said it hopes to use CPC funds toward that match.

Commissioners asked about timeline, materials, and contractor qualifications. Presenters named T2 Architecture as the consultant preparing drawings and noted Structures North (an architect experienced in historic stabilization) is advising on the work. The commission also discussed standards: staff reminded applicants that CPC-funded projects must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and that qualified craftspeople are being used.

During discussion the church indicated it anticipates a phased project that will likely take longer than a year and that the congregation will pursue multiple funding sources. When asked about the CPC request amount, the presenters said the congregation was estimating “approximately $2.50 k” in the meeting transcript; commissioners and presenters discussed that the final CPC request amount would be determined before submission and that CPC requires match rules for certain grants.

A motion by Ashley DeCunha, seconded by Connie Soule, to provide a letter of support for the CPC application passed on a roll-call vote; all members present voted yes. Commissioners said the letter of support would help the church with grant applications and recommended the congregation be prepared to answer detailed CPC questions about budgets, match sources, and project phasing when appearing before CPC.","The commission voted to provide a letter of support for the Fall River Congregational Church’s Community Preservation Act grant application to fund masonry repointing, structural pinning and tower stabilization work; the congregation cited a multi‑phase, multi‑million‑dollar effort and existing work already paid for from its own funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6195139,"Fall River historical commission seeks legal opinion after map shows Rock Street lot removed from 40C district",2187,2067000,4254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa&start=2067&end=4254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862828-ddb4ca733f6d73be5d98396a9b7984fa/thumbnail_2067000.jpg","/articles/6195139/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-historical-commission-seeks-legal-opinion-after-map-shows-Rock-Street-lot-removed-from-40C-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195139-41ff2ae955f8e7bda1ed67bbd565c5a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161609&Signature=RrZ1-mikonKu2aNlpm9ZXPkOD--nU0HOHfLDECLqvgBBmMKaLAaC3UqMuvxIYX3IrELVjyCKSxDiPam55fVEQjkmJJp~N7PBcoWhCkuop5QwHLVuws2xk2aPyzrBpdKnO2XX2kHVpigGu0M4pP1UPuQtwBP9uT9IwQDKirIfqhyfa6x1RU5WrhMYlvZUtXYHG4qb4nChIgT285HttLgZ0dLq8ixAs5hI5fLqgJ9e~dJDRfVS2Oc4sXnXyWpE~Q93Rtv9w~b6EiVbr8TN5dwxM6F49-KZ5GZp~bYLWZVUz2auyjtAhliF-x8ywstKvJlSwjvK8tx8spJo3y5ooG4uoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fall River Historical Commission voted Tuesday to request a formal legal opinion from the city law department after members discussed an apparent boundary change that removed a small side yard from the Highlands 40C local historic district.

Commissioners said the City’s online mapping shows the side yard of the property at 550–570 Rock Street moved into an adjacent parcel, but the record and state procedures require formal notice and a statutory process before any reduction of a 40C district.

At the meeting Jason Bouchard, presiding member, summarized the commission’s concern: the state’s Chapter 40C process requires notification of property owners and a formal public process before reducing a local historic district. “We should be getting notified first,” a commissioner said during the discussion. Commissioners noted that the city GIS now displays the lot as outside the district but that, according to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the district boundaries have not been officially altered.

Commissioners and several nearby property owners described learning about the change only after the deed/assessment records were updated. Jason Kennedy, a nearby property owner, told the commission he and others would assert standing to oppose any improper reduction: the change “circumvented” required steps, he said in discussion.

The commission asked for legal guidance on next steps, including whether the city must “undo what they did,” how notification should have been carried out, and the possible remedies or fines if state procedures were bypassed. Members agreed the city attorney’s office should advise whether the change is valid, what notifications were required, and the commission’s enforcement options. The commission also asked staff to seek technical assistance from the Massachusetts Historical Commission if needed.

The motion — made by Rick Mancini and seconded by Ashley DeCunha — asked the law department for a formal opinion about boundary changes made within the Chapter 40C local historic-district process, any lack of notification to the local or state historical commission, and the legal ramifications. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

Commissioners said the next steps could include inviting the property owner and the city planning/engineering staff to a special meeting and, if needed, taking the opinion to the state for final determination. Several members stressed educating the zoning board and other city departments about 40C protections so future permit decisions properly account for district review.

The commission did not decide whether to pursue enforcement or petition the state; it limited Tuesday’s formal action to seeking a written legal opinion and follow-up guidance from staff and the state historical commission.","The Fall River Historical Commission voted to request a formal opinion from the city law department after discussion over a lot-line change that appears to have removed a small parcel from the Highlands 40C local historic district without the district-notification steps required by state rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission and Preservation Society launch outreach for Highlands historic-district expansion

Fall River Historical Commission approves certificates of appropriateness for two High Street properties

Historical commission backs Fall River Congregational Church’s CPC grant request for tower stabilization

Fall River historical commission seeks legal opinion after map shows Rock Street lot removed from 40C district