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Historic signage program supported by commission but questions remain about hosting on Haverhill site
Summary
The committee reviewed a private historic house signage program supported by the Haverhill Historical Commission and discussed whether the city website should link to or host program materials. Staff and commission representatives said the program is private; the committee asked for solicitor guidance.
The Administration & Finance Committee discussed a private historic house signage program that the Haverhill Historical Commission has endorsed, but left unresolved whether the city should host program materials on its website or link to an external site.
Andrew Herlihy, speaking on behalf of the historic commission, said the commission “voted to support a citywide historic house signage program” and that the commission’s vote was intended as a blessing for a privately organized effort. Herlihy said the commission did not intend to own or operate the program but agreed the wording shown on the council packet was vetted by the commission and could be posted on the city’s website.
Committee members and staff raised technical and policy questions about linking to non-city pages. Councilor Ferrer and staff reported consulting Doug Russell, the city’s IT director, and Lisa Mead (who reviewed the legal implications) about whether the program should be a city-hosted page or a link to a private page operated by the Historic Highlands Association. Russell told committee members he had reviewed linkage policies used by other communities.
Several committee members said the program had been run previously by volunteers and community groups and that a city link could be useful if the city’s website wording made clear the program is privately operated. Councilor Jordan recalled an earlier volunteer effort that produced signs and recommended the private group could proceed independently if the city declined to host the content.
The committee asked staff to follow up with the city solicitor and IT director to resolve whether the program can be posted directly on the city website and how any external link would be handled; no formal action was taken to alter city policy at that meeting.
Why it matters: The decision affects whether the city hosts or links to a privately run historic-signage program and how the city represents such programs on the official website. Committee members said clarity is needed on linkage policy and wording so that the site accurately reflects that the program is private.
What’s next: Staff promised follow-up with the city solicitor and the IT director to confirm linkage policy and wording before returning any item to the full council.
