Smith Property Sold To Bolton Conservation Trust

I am pleased to post the following updated announcement, issued by the Bolton Conservation Trust. A new chapter begins.

Bolton Conservation Trust president, Al Ferry reports that BCT has purchased the Smith Property, located in the historic district in the center of town, using financing from MassDevelopment loan funds.  BCT believes the Smith Property is important to Bolton’s future and has potential to be developed in a way that will benefit the residents of Bolton.

The Trust has formed the Bolton Center Steering Committee with a charter to plan remediation and future use.  Bob Roemer, Dan Gaffney, Bob Johnson, Bob Cohen and Chris Mariano have volunteered to serve on the Steering Committee and will be developing plans for approval by the BCT.

BCT would like to thank the efforts of the Partners for Planning for bringing this opportunity to the attention of the community and looks forward to help from the community to determine the best use of the site.

A mission of the Trust is to assist in and promote the preservation of the rural character of the Town of Bolton

www.boltonconservationtrust.org

 

Town Center Local Historic District: Draft Bylaw

From the Local Historic District Study Committee:

The Local Historic District Study Committee has received, and continues to seek, input from a number of town residents, committee members and administrators.  This is a very open process and will continue with your feedback.  Please note that this is version 7 and a draft, it does not necessarily represent the final version that will be submitted to the Selectmen for inclusion on the May 2012 Town Meeting Warrant.  Your comments and suggestions can be forward to Iris Berdrow at iberdrow@verizon.net or 978-779-8901, or sent to 27 Randall Road, Bolton.

Click here for the latest draft of the Local Historic District Bylaw.

Take the Historic District Survey

Dear Bolton Property Owner,

The Local Historical District Study Committee would like your input in establishing a local historic district in the center of Bolton. The Area (see map below) would include the existing National Historic District on Main Street (from Sugar Road to Harvard Road), and Wattaquadock Hill Road (from Main Street to Memorial Field)(includes 76 structures, over 90% are over 100 years old).

The Local Historic District has been specifically identified as an important tool for Bolton in the 1998 Preservation Plan, the 2001 Archeological Survey, the 2006 Master Plan and the 2006 Reconnaissance report by MA Dept of Conservation and Rec.  The Local Historic District Study Committee (LHDSC) was formed in March 2011 by approval of the Selectmen to investigate and make recommendations on the application for a Local Historic District in Bolton.

We can be very thankful that so many buildings from our town’s past still remain in the village center. However, without a local historic district, our village center could be lost forever through future demolitions and alterations.  A local historic district will help to guide future changes, making sure that historic character will remain a distinct part of our village center.

In a local historic district, exterior architectural features visible from a paved public named street are reviewed by a Selectman-appointed local historic district commission (5 Members with diverse background) to make sure that the proposed changes are appropriate to the historic character of the district.

Today there are over 240 local historic districts in Massachusetts and that number grows each year.  Some of these local towns include Acton, Carlisle, Concord, Groton, Harvard, Marlboro, and Shirley.

Please take a few minutes to express your thoughts on whether a local historic district is needed in the Bolton Village Center by filling out the survey.  You can either complete the paper version sent through the mail to all Bolton residents, or click here to take the survey online.

The map of the proposed district is shown below. Click the map to enlarge. A draft of the Local Historic District by-law is available here.  The Local Historic District by-law will be on the Town Warrant for the May 2012 town meeting.  If you have edits or suggestions about the by-law it is important that we get them by Feb 7^th.

Thank you for your time.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Iris Berdrow

LHDSC Chairperson

iberdrow@verizon.net

Calendar: Historical Society Wreath Festival—Sunday!

Felted Christmas Elves Wreath by Lyn Slade (2011)

Don’t forget to stop in at the barn beside Sawyer House this Sunday for the 9th annual Wreath Festival.

There are unique and creative wreaths each year.

Bolton Historical Society, 676 Main Street, Sunday, Dec 4, noon to 5:00 pm.

You can view the latest wreaths by Bolton wreath artists. You can also bid on them and hope for some bargains. Many of the wreaths come with extra goodies, coupons, or keepsake holiday items. Free refreshments.

Local Girl Scout Troops lead a caroling sing-along starting about 3:00 pm.

This event captures the spirit of Bolton in many ways. Proceeds support the Historical Society.

Girl Scouts lead holiday sing-along at Historical Society barn.

Calendar: Local Historic District Study Committee forum, Monday, Dec 5

The Local Historic District Study Committee will host a town wide forum on Monday, Dec 5^th, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, Harold E. Brown, Jr. Training Room.  This is an opportunity for town residents to hear what the Local Historic District would mean for Bolton and to provide input into the design and details.  All are welcome.

Main Street, c. 1900. Courtesy Bolton Historical Society.

Calendar: Vote Today

Don’t forget to vote today. The polls are at Nashoba Regional High School auditorium and are open from noon until 8:00 pm. today, Monday November 21.

If voters approve the debt exclusion for purchase of the Smith property, there would be an opportunity to consider the purchase article again at a future town meeting without needing to have an additional ballot vote.  Whichever side of the issue you are on, this is an important vote.

Town Meeting today!

Florence Sawyer School, 7 p.m.  Come early for best parking and seating.