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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-27 Old Center Historic District Commission Minutes Old Center Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes May 27, 2026 Present: Roger Lawson, Lisa Roberts, Laurie Belsito, Michael Lenihan, Ryan Schruender, Dan Leary, James Dowd The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at Town Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Discussion -Review North Andover's Historic Master Plan M. Lenihan made a motion to open the public hearing and R. Schruender seconded the motion. Samantha Carr introduced herself as the new Staff Planner operating out of the planning department and working with Jean Enright. The meeting focused on implementing the historic preservation plan through a new website, a localized GIS resource, potential bylaw review/enforcement coordination, interpretive signage, and routine permit/compliance issues. Samantha Carr presented the implementation of the historic preservation plan that came out last year, and more specifically referenced the memo handout presenting four separate goals for implementation. She discussed the phases of the implementation of the plan, first referenced as Goal#3.3 in the handout memo, being a public facing website that would include resources for the Historical Commission, Historic District, and Conservation District Committee, serving as a landing page to direct the user to the appropriate commission or committee. It was noted that the Machine Shop Village Committee should also be included. The time frame for this phase would be- September/October for a draft and final implementation in January with Samantha being the point of contact for website development. The second goal, was referenced as Goal # 4.4 in the memo handout. This was recognizing there is still implementation needed for some of the goals from the Master Plan. This goal's objective is to keep the discussion open regarding the Master Plan and Historic Commission's involvement as well as the Historical Society. The next goal was referenced as Goal#4.10 in the handout memo. This goal pertained to installing street scape exhibits. It was specified that specific to the Old Center Historic District Commission, the goal was to include an interpretive sign for the old center, using the existing one in Machine Shop Village as an example. Details were proposed to include key dates or specific relevant historical figures along with photographs and mapping elements. There was also mention of potential gateway signs at the entrances to the old center. There was a comment from R. Lawson that our commission would have to weigh in on the location of any sign being proposed. There was comment from L. Roberts regarding signs for the historic graveyards located in the district to consider as well. There was a further comment from an attendee about including QR codes on the signs with discussion by commission members to make sure that any QR code would be removable as discussed with previously proposed signs in the district. Samantha Carr mentioned a feedback loop would be similar for this undertaking as also with the website, connecting all of the commissions involved. There would be drafts and one or two other check points for the commission to review before anything goes to production. In terms of funding sources, it was mentioned they are either looking at CPC funds or looking at a line item in the town's capital budget. There was a question if the commission's bylaws would be included in the scope of this project but it was agreed that they would need town meeting approval and would be a separate undertaking to amend. There was a comment by J. Dowd emphasizing a point to review the book A Good In-Land Town, with specific weight on noting the historic properties in the book and considering marking them specifically because many of the landmarks noted are not officially designated. L. Roberts mentioned potentially including a walking tour in the old center in light of the Historical Societies new historic house plaque initiative that is linked to their website. Addressing the final goal, referred to as Goal#4.29 in the memo handout, aiming for a draft by the fall and publication early next year in January. This goal was presented to make historic resource inventory available through the towns GIS system, more specifically a localized interactive historic resource inventory with parcel pop-ups linking photos and inventory forms. There was a note that the assessors map uses building dates that are commonly incorrect, and to make sure they are cross checked. There was also a comment to add the Old Center Historic District to the GIS map as an overlay toggle option. There was discussion about what map app to use, and what views to include whether it be street view and if each property would be noted with specific information. There was discussion of embedding or linking the town GIS portal to trigger notifications to building inspectors when parcels fall inside historic districts, and re- digitizing poor-quality old scans of district maps to standardize records. There was a note to add Machine Shop Village in the Feedback Loop list at the bottom of the memo page. Samantha Carr said feedback from the commission would be fielded as things progressed. She further elaborated that they were going to target the Sign for the FY 28 funding cycle so they would start with the website and the map before pursuing the sign. There was general approval from the commission to make important information accessible in a centralized location. There was discussion on the current process as to how someone would navigate submitting an application to the commission, noting it is usually triggered if someone requests a building permit. D. Leary made a motion to close the public hearing R. Schruender seconded. There was unanimous consent. Approval of the meeting minutes from 3/18/26 R. Schruender made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from 3/18/26 and D. Leary seconded the motion. There was unanimous consent. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.