6/17/1999 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes

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MASHPEE HISTORIC DISTRICT STUDY COMMITTEE THURSDAY,JUNE 17, 1999 TOWN HALL Present: Russell Peters,E arl ills,Frank Hicks, Joe Polito, Tom Fudala Also Present: Rosemary Burns, man from historic commission, Jessica Rowcraft,MA Historic Commission and Mary Kate Harrington,PAL Meeting convened at 4:40 p.m. This was a joint meeting with the Mashpee Historic Commission. Chairman Russell Peters explained that this Committee has been meeting since March. It's a great Committee, doing very exciting work for the town and its history. It brings back wonderful memories for some of the members. They are working towards some things that will be beneficial to the community. It makes sense for this Committee and the Historic Commission to keep in touch and delve into the history. Tom explained how the joint meeting came about. In order to get a historic district established, the town must do a survey of historic properties. Because MHC and PAL are working on that, this Committee wanted them to tall us about what they are doing and confirm if it will work with what is needed for the historic district requirements. Tom prepared an article,which he hopes this Committee will vote to submit to the October town meeting warrant, to expand the jurisdiction to cover the whole town **Frank Hicks made a motion to submit the article to the Selectmen for inclusion on the October town meeting warrant, which will expand the jurisdiction of the Committee to the whole town. Joe seconded the motion. All members were in favor 4-0** Jessica Rowcraft from the survey and planing division at MA Historical Commission(MHC) explained one of the primary goals of the State is to do a comprehensive survey of all towns in the Commonwealth. The last survey done in Mashpee was 1970, including photos of properties, with a brief history. They have allocated funds for town to get their survey work up to date and have contracted with PAL to do that survey work. The scope of work for PAL, which will be done over the course of this summer will look mostly at town center and Main Street, Russell Peters explained this Committee began looking at those areas also but have expanded somewhat because there are other important areas in town, South Mashpee and Popponesset Bay area. Jessica said they will be looking at Popponesset Beach and Seconset Island and some individual properties which are not part of a"district" so as to get a good look at history and have it on file, which is important for a number of reasons. When projects come up that must go through MHC for review,this information will be on file. This work with help the Study Committee by providing a baseline. The 'Town however has to put together a historic district report and MHC does not fund or encourage outside contractors to do that work. 1 '4