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Selectmen authorize Certificate of Appropriateness for small memorial markers at Memorial Town Hall
Summary
The Board of Selectmen authorized the chair to sign a Certificate of Appropriateness for 11-by-20-inch byway markers proposed by the Duck River Garden Club for placement at Memorial Town Hall and agreed to find alternate town-owned sites if the Historic District Commission declines.
The Board of Selectmen voted March 2 to authorize the chair to sign a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the Duck River Garden Club to install smaller byway memorial markers at Memorial Town Hall, while agreeing to identify alternate town-owned locations if the Historic District Commission does not approve town-hall placement.
Mary Ellen Basham, speaking online for the Duck River Garden Club, presented a CAFA application and showed photos of the proposed byway markers, describing them as a "good compromise" to larger memorial markers. She said the signs measure about "11 by 20 inches" and that ordering has roughly a four-month lead time. Basham said the club favored placing the markers at Memorial Town Hall because of the site's historical significance and asked the board to approve signing the certificate of appropriateness so the club could move forward.
Selectmen discussed alternative locations that would keep the markers visible if the Historic District Commission declines the Town Hall site, naming options including the north green, Haynes Park, Town Woods and the police station garden area. The board also discussed mounting options and backing material; Selectmen favored stone backing and amended the motion to specify stone as the preferred backing material for installations in front of town hall.
A motion was made to authorize the chair to sign a Certificate of Appropriateness to install blue/gold star markers on stone in front of Town Hall; the motion was seconded and carried. The chair said she would sign and scan the certificate and coordinate with the club if the Historic District Commission requests changes or denies the site.
If the Historic District Commission vetoes the Town Hall site, the Duck River Garden Club will select a preferred alternative location and return to the board with options.
No funding appropriation by the town was recorded at the meeting; Basham said the club would pay for the markers and has re-budgeted for the smaller signs.
