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Commission discusses MACRIS expansion, White Cliffs preservation restriction and Norm's House National Register listing
Summary
The commission reviewed potential updates to the town MACRIS inventory, White Cliffs preservation-restriction drafting by Ryan LLC, and celebrated Norm's House (35 Whitney) being placed on the National Register of Historic Places; members also discussed scenic-wall and cell-tower matters affecting historic views.
At the July 15 meeting, Chair Bob Light updated the Historic District Commission on several preservation matters beyond the Brigham Street labyrinth.
Light said he has contacted the firm that prepared Northborough's MACRIS inventory (the 2009 work) and that the firm is willing to propose an updated survey to include houses that have turned 100 since 2009 and properties 50–100 years old that may be historically significant. "I reached out to the person who did it...they're very interested," Light said. He said any MACRIS update would likely require a CPA funding request and could compete with other CPA proposals, including the labyrinth.
The commission discussed an incoming preservation restriction for White Cliffs being prepared by Ryan LLC and Albert Rex; the Northborough Historical Society will manage the restriction while the town owns the building. Light said the society has warned that if White Cliffs is sold, the society might not continue to hold the restriction and it could revert to the commission, so commissioners should expect to review the draft.
Light also announced that Norm's House at 35 Whitney has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, confirmed by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Park Service. Commissioners praised the listing and said they will follow up as needed on preservation responsibilities tied to listed properties.
Other items noted: the scenic-road wall removal at 17 Green Street is scheduled for the planning board later this month, and a proposed cell tower at 409 Green Street prompted discussion about whether historic views from local homes would be affected. Light said most nearby historic homes are not in a historic district and the commission's formal authority to object is limited to impacts on district views.
Commissioners agreed to continue outreach to Preservation Massachusetts and to follow up on the town's Certified Local Government application that had not received a response amid staff transitions.
