Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic‑district commission backs Hollis 250 decorations initiative and prepares letter urging attention to Farley Building
Summary
Commissioners agreed to promote a July 1–11 Hollis 250 red‑white‑and‑blue decorating initiative for district residents, coordinate publicity (town calendar, local paper, photos to hollis250doors@gmail), and continue developing a letter to the Select Board asking the town to publicly acknowledge and plan for the Farley Building’s preservation.
At the May 7 meeting the Hollis Historic District Commission agreed to promote a town‑wide decorating initiative tied to ‘Hollis Celebrates America’ (July 1–11) and to refine a letter to the Select Board urging public acknowledgment of the Farley Building’s historic value and inclusion in long‑term capital planning.
Chair presented a proposed ad and encouraged residents in the district to decorate porches, front doors and windows in red, white and blue for the opening ceremony on July 1 and to submit JPEG photos to hollis250doors@gmail for posting on the town website and event Facebook page. Commissioners discussed a small promotional budget (examples mentioned between $50 and $250), use of the town calendar and a TV slide, and agreed not to create a contest or strict judging criteria.
On the Farley Building, the commission reviewed a draft letter asking the Select Board to publicly state the town’s valuation of the building and to support a coalition to pursue preservation options. Members noted prior recognition of the Farley Building on state and preservation lists and raised concerns that failing to act could result in demolition; one participant cited an estimated demolition cost of roughly $1,000,000–$1,500,000. Commissioners agreed to continue coordinating with the historical society, heritage commission and others, and to plan for a presentation to the Select Board in mid‑June if allied groups concurred.
The commission set a follow‑up to review the letter at its June meeting and cautioned members to avoid conducting substantive discussions by group email, recommending Google Docs and one‑to‑one replies to prevent inadvertent public‑meeting formation.
