Local district to the national one?
Local commission creating historic district
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Local Historic District Study Committee is taking the first step to gather mass public opinion about the possibility of creating an historic district around the center of town and Academy Hill.

Shane Brogan is chairing the committee that was established by the Selectmen in April. Also serving on the committee are Joan Longcope, Karen Sargent, Peter Yraola and Besty Hannula.

Twenty-nine people attended the Committee's first meeting in June. Most were homeowners in the Academy Hill and downtown area.

Residents have voiced concerns about who would be on the Local Historic District Commission, if one were formed, and how long the process would take if someone were to apply to make changes to the homes in the district, according to Hannula.

State law regulates the creation of local historic districts and requires the homes and the buildings in the area to be "architecturally significant" and be "contiguous to other properties in the district."

There are differences between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District. The Westminster Village-Academy Hill Historic District was added to the National Register in 1983. It includes 920 acres with 61 buildings and six objects in the area of Bacon, Adams, Main, Dawley, Academy Hill, Leominster, and Pleasant streets.

A local historic districts focus on the exterior architectural features of buildings visible from a public way and not the interiors of buildings or anything not visible from a public way.

Moreover, there are many items that are exempt from review including air conditioning units, storm doors and windows, paint color, and temporary structures, according to Hannula.

The decision on which features are exempt from review depends upon how the final bylaw is written and passed by town meeting vote. The committee doesn't expect to propose a bylaw at this fall's town meeting.

A survey will be sent to residents of the proposed district and a second survey will be sent to all town residents. More informational meetings will be held in the fall, so that all residents can attend.

Feedback is requested in these early stages of the process so that the committee will understand the thoughts of residents in the proposed area.

If anyone has questions about the process as it proceeds, please contact the Brogan at (978) 874-1402 or brogie27@ msn.com.