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Essex committee to revise National Register nomination after state review
Summary
The town’s ad-hoc historic preservation committee said the State Historic Preservation Review Board continued Essex Village’s National Register nomination to September and asked for edits including a tighter significance statement, shorter property descriptions, an extended boundary to include Grove Street, and restoration of some previously excluded properties.
Chairman Peter Coombs told the Ad‑Hoc Historic Preservation Study Committee on June 15 that he listened to the State Historic Preservation Review Board hearing on June 12 and that the board voted to continue Essex Village’s National Register of Historic Places nomination to the September meeting so the consultant could make requested revisions. He said the board’s requests include editing the significance statement to be more specific, making property descriptions more concise, extending the proposed district boundary to include Grove Street, and adding back certain properties formerly labeled not contributing.
Coombs also reported that 40 Prospect Street was placed on the State Review Board’s agenda under “Determination of Eligibility.” According to Coombs’ account to the committee, the Attorney General’s Office presented information on that property and the board concluded it is historically significant and contributes to the proposed district.
The committee discussed next steps for revising application materials and coordinating the consultant’s edits. Coombs said he will bring a marked version of the draft nomination language to a future meeting after the consultant updates the nomination documents.
Why it matters: inclusion on the National Register can affect review standards for alterations and can influence eligibility for preservation incentives and grants. The committee’s revisions will determine which properties and boundaries the nomination advances to the state and, ultimately, the National Park Service.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the nomination at the June 15 meeting; members agreed to review the consultant’s revised materials before resubmitting.
