HANCOCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Minutes January 26, 2010
Members Present: Chair Robinson, David Drasba, Roberta LaPlante, Roberta Nylander
The meeting began at 7:05 PM. Chair reported that there were no pending applications and no specific agenda. He suggested that HHDC use time to "do a little housekeeping" and explore some of the issues and concerns that have arisen at past meetings when there was not time for a discussion of those items. The consensus of members present on the following topics is recorded below:
Public Relations:
- Reserving the 4th Tuesday of the month to schedule needed HHDC meetings has been efficient.
- Posting minutes on the town website has been a positive step.
- HHDC also post notice when there is no meeting due to lack of agenda.
- HHDC report decisions reached on applications in HANCOCK HAPPENINGS.
- HHDC revise letter of welcome and information for new residents in the district, and be sure that new residents receive a copy.
Record Keeping:
- Improved record keeping practices have been positive
- Further improvements to efficiency of record keeping suggested:
A. HHDC Maintain a separate record of each residence in the district by street address so that all information about that residence is readily available at meetings or hearings.
B. Copies of any application, decision reached by HHDC, photograph, plan, correspondence or research be included in that file
C. LaPlante and Nylander will meet with Linda Coughlan to discuss above.
Role of HHDC
The following questions need to be clarified:
- What is the relationship of the HHDC to other Town of Hancock Commissions or boards?
Do Those groups need to submit applications to HHDC?
- Besides responding to applications, what, if anything, is the role of HHDC?
If there is no application, is there no role? What about maintenance issues? Opinions?
- Does HHDC have any responsibility to follow enforcement issues that have been turned over to the Select Board?
- Chair will again contact Local Government Center in relation to above and ask for information in writing to share with HHDC.
Relationship of the HHDC to the National Register of Historic Places
Most of the residences in the HHD are also listed in the National Register. Although there is no official connection between the two, it might be interesting to learn what, if anything, an owner must do to maintain the listing. Drasba offered to check into this topic.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta D. Nylander
Secretary, HHDC