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Historical Commission
Background & Purpose
The seven-member Framingham Historical Commission (HC) was established by a vote of Town Meeting on April 1, 1969, pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, Section 8D. The HC's mission is to work alongside the Massachusetts Historical Commission to promote preservation, protection, and development of the City's historically and archaeologically important assets.
Specifically, its duties include:
- Advising the Mayor and City Council on matters concerning historic preservation.
- Advising the Building Commissioner with respect to the City's Demolition Delay Bylaw.
- Balancing the protection of Framingham's irreplaceable historic resources with its physical and economic growth and development.
- Informing and educating citizens and visitors about the heritage endowed to the present generation by the men and women who built this community.
- Periodically compiling and updating a Historic Preservation Plan for the community in connection with the Community and Economic Development Division.
- Preserving elements of the built and natural environment which give the City its unique character.
Do You Have Other Questions About How the Historical Commission Works?
Historical Commission Chair, and City Historian, Fred Wallace gave a talk at the library in 2015 discussing the HC's duties.
Chair
Paul Silva
Email Paul Silva
Members
Frederic Wallace, Vice Chair,
Lewis Colten, A.I.A.
Lynne Damianos
Susan Kennedy
Thomas Schuetz
Jane Whiting
Monthly Meetings
When:
2nd Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where:
Memorial Building
Conference Room 1
150 Concord Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Hearing schedules can vary. Please confirm with City Clerk (508-532-5520) or check the Meeting Portal for Agendas and Minutes.
Cultural Resources Inventory
Since the 1970s, the HC has been identifying and researching Framingham's many historic assets which include not only buildings, but also objects and landscapes, such as statues, parks and fields. Together they comprise the Cultural Resource Inventory, which is a comprehensive listing of all the historic resources in Framingham. View the Cultural Resources Inventory (PDF).
Demolition Delay Bylaw
At the 1991 Town Meeting, the Demolition Delay Bylaw (Article V, Section 21 (PDF)) was created. This Bylaw requires the HC to assess all buildings 75 years or older prior to issuance of a demolition permit.
If a building is included in the Cultural Resources Inventory, the HC can delay its demolition for one year.
If a building is not in the Cultural Resources Inventory, but the HC believes it is significant, the demolition can be delayed for 6 months.
A demolition delay is not intended to punish the owner, but rather it provides an opportunity for the HC to work with the owner to determine if the building can be saved.
A recent success story involves the 1812 House on Salem End Road, which Framingham State University opted to sensitively rehabilitate.