Framingham Historical Commission

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 the preservation, protection, and development of the City’s historically and archaeologically important assets.

Duties

Duties include, broadly, developing a long-range plan for the Preservation of Cultural Resources in the community, and overseeing the implementation of that plan, including the creation of and maintenance of the cultural resources inventory. There are many facets to this. Cultural Resources can include but are not limited to historically significant sites, structures, monuments, areas, and objects.

The Historical Commission's powers and duties are further defined in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8D. It works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Framingham has been recognized by that body as a Certified Local Government by the MHC, a designation that puts the city on a priority list for the distribution of preservation grant monies from the State. 

The HC has regulatory powers in the administration of the Demolition Delay Ordinance. Using the public hearing process, it can impose a demolition delay in instances where a building is over 75 years old and is slated for demolition and is deemed historically significant. 

Meeting Information

Meetings are generally the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm and are accessible via Zoom. 

Hearing schedules can vary. Please check the Public Meeting Calendar for dates, agendas and minutes.

Member Skillset

The law does not specify any skills required for members of this Commission. However, the present Commission is made up of people with the following skills, which probably represents the right mix:

• An Architect with knowledge and background in historic preservation
• An individual with knowledge of construction methods, such as a local builder
• A Local Historian
• A member of the local historical society
• A member of the local planning board (desirable)
• Two owners of historically significant homes in the community