Ashby qualities tracked

The small group of residents that gathered in town hall recently listed historical locations near the center of town and some natural landmarks as the important parts of town.

Residents focused on location within the state parks, the history around the old cemetery and the Unitarian church as well as the history of the town's farms.

"I think agriculture is an important part because it maintains the field and forestry mixture," Alan Pease, a planning board member, said. "The agriculture past has left such a mark on the landscape."

The Heritage Landscape Inventory Program is designed to have a consulting team identify locations residents suggest to provide some of the history, the preservation/restoration methods that could be used to help keep a "community unique."

Freedom's Way and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation are working together to provide the funding and the manpower for the program.

"They don't have to be nationally recognized, they could be local landscapes such as a sledding hill on a good fishing spot," said Shary Berg, a project's consultant for Ashby.

The goal of the state project is to preserve the New England look of the small towns of Massachusetts as their resident's feel is important.

Residents, while willing to list their favorite parts of the town or historically significant items in town, were wary of the impact the report could have.

"This is simply identification," said Gretchen Schuler, a project consultant. "It would be up to the town to take the next step."

Schuler said there is no requirement for the town to do anything with the report, but after it is created it can be used as a guide for what residents feel is important in the community.

Schuler's answer didn't alleviate fears.

"My concern is with the people who use your report," resident Denny Hayes said.

Resident Charles Morey agreed and wondering if this type of report would encourage people to go onto private property. Schuler said the group could only enter property if they were invited on.

Thirty-seven towns in Massachusetts and eight towns in New Hampshire have received the grant for the report since 1993.

The group of residents identified the old cemetery as an area that could use some help.

The Unitarian church in the center of town also made the list of places that were important because of the Asher Benjamin design and the Paul Revere factory built bell.

The group also want to see if some research could be done in to the old mill that is on the 4-H camp's property because many believed there were still some original parts within it.

The programs staff will complete a report on some of these items around the end of June, which will be give to town officials and other interested parties.

Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@aol.com