Historic signage program advances as board approves two recognitions

The Milton Historic Preservation Board on March 12 approved two property recognitions and moved ahead with a lamppost signage program intended to highlight the city’s historic places.

The board unanimously nominated 6837 Baldwin Street for a residential "historic excellence" marker and separately voted to recognize a commercial property owned by Brad Johnson on Oak Street. "We will certainly get the residential excellence moved on that property," said Jacob Hollott, the planning director, who told the board staff would coordinate with the owner, the public information officer and Public Works on scheduling and installation.

Why this matters: the signs are part of a 10-location program the board and staff have been developing for more than a year to raise public awareness of Milton’s historic assets. Several members emphasized the program’s potential to be visible during the city’s midyear celebrations; Councilwoman Farrow said, "if you could have this kind of ready to roll around the July 4, that would be a wonderful addition." The board discussed whether to install signs as they become available or wait for a coordinated rollout tied to a civic event.

Board members debated nomination criteria during the meeting, especially how to treat properties that were stripped of original materials and later rescued or rebuilt. One member noted the difference between preservation and reconstruction and urged a case-by-case approach. "Sometimes properties fall apart and when somebody rescues a property and brings it back to a historical look, I hate to see it just crossed off the list," a member said.

Staff reported that sign mock-ups have been updated with revised verbiage and are ready for production, though earlier communication and timeline issues with the vendor SignCrafters have caused delays. Members raised two implementation questions the board asked staff to track: whether suitable mounting poles exist at all nominated locations (Berryhill Elementary was flagged as lacking a pole) and whether materials will endure prolonged sun exposure. Jacob said staff can either proceed to hang completed signs as they are ready or place a bulk order to coordinate a single unveiling; several members favored getting signs up as soon as possible rather than holding all installations for one event.

Next steps: staff will gather member-submitted photos and text, compile a single document for board review, contact property owners to set installation dates, and work with Public Works on mounting and scheduling. The board set informal homework: members will supply verbiage and images for the remaining locations and staff will circulate a package for final review ahead of the next meeting.

The board’s procedural actions also included adding a discussion of the newly circulated conflict-disclosure form to the agenda and approving minutes from the November meeting. With no further business the chair adjourned the meeting and scheduled the next meeting for March 12.