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Commission says Morse House National Register nomination stalled; may seek release of funds
Summary
Staff told the commission that the George Henry Moores House nomination is stalled at the state because reviewers are seeking evidence of significance beyond the local level; commissioners discussed asking the Massachusetts Historical Commission to release funds so the town may reallocate them.
At the June 24 meeting, commissioners were told the Morse House (referred to in materials as the George Henry Moores House) is not advancing to the National Register because the Massachusetts Historical Commission has asked for further evidence that its subject has significance beyond the local level.
Tony Esco described multiple rounds of correspondence with the state and said the updated Form B is complete but that the state has consistently requested more documentation about George Henry Moores’s broader significance. He said the house has significant local importance and excellent background material, but without evidence of statewide or national significance the nomination cannot proceed. The commission discussed whether the town should request that the state release the CPC funds for other local uses if the nomination cannot be advanced.
Staff also reported difficulty attracting contractors to bid for painting and other preservation work because the job size and certification requirements (DCAMM certification referenced) make the work unattractive to small contractors. Commissioners suggested breaking the work into smaller bid packages that might be more appealing to local contractors and keep the funds obligated to the project if needed.
Commissioners agreed it would be appropriate for staff to draft a letter to the Massachusetts Historical Commission asking for clarification or the release of funds if the state is unwilling to move the nomination forward; staff will place that correspondence on a future agenda.
