Commission hears updates on Meridian stones, monument repairs, surveys and flood study; plans further comment on Easy Street options

The Nantucket Historical Commission used its March 21 meeting to review several ongoing preservation matters and to set follow-up steps for items that intersect town operations and regional review processes.

Meridian stones and street bollards: Commissioners reviewed a draft letter and schematic images proposing a Main Street bump-out with protective bollards to shield Meridian stones and other street infrastructure. Holly Backus, the town’s preservation planner, said the design concept aims to combine the strength of concrete-filled columns with the appearance of black decorative bollards. The commission agreed to send the drafted letter to the town manager and to copy town staff including Mike Burns and Drew on the communication so officials and consultants remain coordinated. Photographs and a schematic showing granite curbing and bollard examples will accompany the letter.

Civil War monument repairs: Holly Backus reported that the Department of Public Works and the town’s insurer are coordinating with Bartlett Consolidated and a Massachusetts contractor, Colonial Stone. According to Backus, the contractor inspected the site and plans to remove four posts and two sections of curbing, reinstall stone using compact stone (rather than Portland cement), and employ carbon-fiber reinforcement rather than stainless steel to avoid long-term staining and corrosion. Backus said the contractor indicated a goal of completing work before Memorial Day and that he will notify staff before mobilizing so commission members can observe.

Historic survey submission and access: The commission received the final packet of Fiscal Year 2022 reconnaissance survey forms and photographs from the contractor Powell; Backus reported the set includes about 240 survey forms and accompanying image CDs and files. Those forms were transmitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and will be added to the MACRIS database on the state timeline. Backus said each surveyed property now has a persistent MACRIS identifier on the forms, resolving earlier gaps and easing future cross-references for HDC and commission staff.

Executive order and Section 106 concerns: Backus summarized a national webinar hosted by Cultural Heritage Partners and materials from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) about a recent executive order declaring a national energy emergency. She said the EO raises questions about federal permitting and potential carve-outs for energy projects and that preservation attorneys and state preservation offices are still interpreting how (and whether) Section 106 review under the National Historic Preservation Act could be affected. The commission asked staff to circulate links to ACHP guidance and the CHP landing page so commissioners can monitor developments.

Easy Street flood mitigation feasibility study: The commission received an update after a March joint meeting with the Select Board and two public open houses. Commissioners said three concept options were presented and that public attendees disliked the most extensive option. Backus noted the feasibility study is funded through a CZM grant with a schedule that expects the Select Board to select a preferred direction in May. Commissioners emphasized that any chosen option should balance flood protection with effects on the town’s National Historic Landmark district, and they directed staff to prepare coordinated comments for the Select Board ahead of the May decision. Speakers raised stormwater as a major issue: commissioners noted a roughly 52-acre watershed funnels runoff into the study area and recommended exploring upland green infrastructure and catchment features (for example, historic cisterns and dry wells) as lower-visual-impact measures to reduce runoff.

Minimum-maintenance / demolition review (10 New Whale and 5 Bridal Street): Commissioners reviewed outcomes from a recent HDC hearing on 10 New Whale and said the HDC requested a report from a preservation engineer or qualified mason on the building’s condition before making any demolition determination. Backus described the HDC’s action as seeking a preservation-oriented structural review from a professional who meets Preservation Massachusetts or state historic‑preservation qualifications; commissioners said they will offer names of qualified consultants if asked. The commission also discussed that many buildings within the National Historic Landmark area meet the town’s 1975 period-of-significance rule and that survey documentation and the NHL update can be used to clarify which structures should be treated as significant in demolition reviews.

Other business: Commissioners briefly reviewed a draft MOU, the upcoming NAPC webinar on deconstruction versus demolition (March 27), and town education and outreach goals for realtors and property owners about historic-district resources and survey data.

Votes at a glance: The commission recorded a formal roll-call vote to support the 89 Easton Street tax-credit application (motion passed, see separate article). The meeting also approved the February meeting minutes by voice vote recorded as aye on the transcript.

Ending: Commissioners scheduled follow-up: staff will transmit the Meridian stone letter and supporting images to town management, Colonial Stone will notify staff ahead of Civil War monument mobilization, staff will circulate ACHP/CHP materials on the executive order, and a coordinated commission comment on Easy Street feasibility options is planned for the April meeting so it can be forwarded to the Select Board before their May decision.