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Historic Districts Commission approves minutes, discusses guideline update and project tickler list
Summary
The Great Barrington Historic Districts Commission approved prior meeting notes, noted a paid historic-resources billing and possible fee increase, reviewed whether to update HDC guidelines using Concord’s as a reference, and examined a project reminder list; no public comments were offered.
The Great Barrington Historic Districts Commission met in a hybrid session on Feb. 19, 2026, approving draft meeting notes and reviewing administrative items.
Chair Donald Howe called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. and recorded attendance as Donald Howe (Chair), Abby Schroeder (Secretary, joining by Zoom), Fred Clark (Member), Marilyn Bisiewicz (Alternate), and Annalynn Lacombe (Alternate). The minutes contain an internal inconsistency about Vice‑Chair James Mercer: one attendance line lists him as not present, while a later sentence indicates Vice‑Chair Mercer was present in Town Hall; the minutes do not resolve which is correct.
Member Marilyn Bisiewicz moved to approve the draft minutes from Oct. 16, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026; Secretary Abby Schroeder seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll call with all present voting in favor and none opposed.
Chair Howe reported that the first billing for historic-resources work has been paid and said a possible fee increase for additional services is under consideration. Commissioners discussed whether the commission’s HDC Guidelines need revision. Howe said the Town of Concord’s guidelines are particularly detailed, noted that his Concord contact has moved to Block Island, R.I., and encouraged members to review Concord’s guidelines online as a reference when considering updates.
Under new business, Howe distributed an HDC "tickler" or project reminder list; the commission reviewed each item on that list during the remainder of the meeting. There were no public comments during the Citizen Speak portion; the minutes record "NONE."
The commission set its next regular hybrid meeting for March 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Member Fred Clark moved to adjourn at 6:15 p.m.; Annalynn Lacombe seconded the motion.
