Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Section 106 Changes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Concord commission to draft letter opposing proposed changes to federal Section 106 consultation
Summary
Commissioners discussed proposed federal changes that would make Section 106 historic‑preservation consultation optional rather than mandatory; they agreed to draft a short Concord letter urging continuation of mandatory review and to seek signatures from the Select Board and other local commissions.
Commissioners and members of the public spent a lengthy portion of the meeting discussing proposed federal rule changes that would make some Section 106 historic‑preservation consultations optional. Commissioners expressed concern that the change would reduce early‑stage notification and diminish local opportunities to weigh in on undertakings affecting cultural resources.
Lauren Meyer and several participants urged a quick, coordinated response: draft a concise letter from the town's historical commission (with the Select Board and local historic district commission invited to sign on), send it to the federal agency and congressional delegation, and encourage MassHistoric to help organize other commissions across the Commonwealth. "I think we should do that ASAP," one commissioner said, and the chair assigned a next step to produce a draft within a few days for review.
