Salutations and greetings! We have been somewhat delinquent in posting our meeting materials. With a jam packed agenda coming up this month, we wanted to make sure we posted materials. We encourage you to read along and participate in the various hearings. Be sure to stick around to the end as we have project updates that you won’t want to miss.

Important Note: Our Zoom link is changing so be sure to look for the update on the agenda, City’s site, and our website.

47 Holton Street – Preferably Preserved Hearing:
The Commission will review the proposed total demolition of 47 Holton Street in West Medford. This building is a contributing building to the Smith Estate subdivision. This area is an integrated neighborhood that was settled by African American families at the end of the nineteenth century. The buildings are Victorian in style. This particular building was erected by Lewis Lovering, a well-known builder during this time. The public is encouraged to provide comments that look at the building’s integrity.

47 Holton Street as seen in a recent real estate image from Zillow.

16 Manning Street – Preferably Preserved Hearing:
The Commission will continue with a hearing to review the total demolition of 16 Manning Street near Main Street and Medford Square. The neighborhood on the south side of the Mystic River developed prior to 1855 as a shipbuilders’ enclave. Many fashionable Greek Revival homes were constructed along South Street and various perpendicular side streets. As Medford grew into a streetcar suburb, additional homes were built between these early buildings. Among the first wave of subsequent development was 16 Manning Street. It is one of the oldest houses on the street. We will hear comments from the public on if the building should be preferably preserved. You can find the MHC form A for the street, and form B for the building.

26 Alfred Street – Determination of Significance
The Commission has received an application for the demolition of a fire-damaged dwelling located at 26 Alfred Street. The building has not been ordered down and is required to go through the demolition delay review process. Located on Winter Hill, the neighborhood sloping down from Somerville was developed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. This building is among the first to be constructed on modest-sized lots geared toward commuter-class residents. The MHC inventory form provides a much more detailed look into the area.

Upcoming Demolitions:
The Commission has requested information on the potential demolitions for properties at 46 Pinkert Street and 173 Arlington Street. Both projects are making significant changes to the buildings and we have requested paperwork be submitted for demolition review. Check back in the following months for submissions.

Oak Grove Access Road and Stormwater Condition Assessment:
Our board is partnering with the Cemetery Trustees to assist them in planning for various projects that will restore the landscape. Among the many tasks at hand include work on the roadways in the Rock Pasture section. This is the oldest part of the cemetery, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. It was laid out by Alexander Wadsworth, the same landscape architect who designed Mount Auburn Cemetery. The consultant handling the roadway project asked for our cooperation in helping the Trustees understand any historical restrictions. The Cemetery is an important landscape, and the Commission views its preservation as important to the City. We will work to provide comments to them so they can be incorporated into their plans.

State Historic Preservation Law Changes:
We would like to call your attention to House Bill 993 – An Act to Accelerate Housing Production. It is being debated to become law. You can read the bill in its entirety here:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S993
Although its title and goal is commendable, the Commission is deeply concerned about how it is being accomplished. This bill seeks to limit the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s comment power and strip review power from local historic district commissions when projects add more housing. Local historic districts are one of the strongest forms of protection for historic resources. There is already an override process for housing creation. Specifically, MGL 40B provides for overrides in projects that provide true affordable housing. The Commission will discuss the bill tonight and its potential impact to the demolition delay process. We encourage the public to become acquainted with the bill and voice their opinion.

Vacant Seats:
The Commission still has open seats. You can read all about how to apply to become a member by clicking here!

Cross Street Pilot Project:
If you have not been to see Cross Street Cemetery lately, you’re in for a real treat! The Commission and Trustees hired Fannin-Lehner to conserve fifteen stones. These are the monuments for those who are veterans of the American Revolution and the Civil War. They have been cleaned and repaired. Work is almost complete. Check out the progress image below!

We will be applying to fund the repair and cleaning of the rest of the cemetery through the CPC. We look forward to moving the project to fruition. The grounds have long been overlooked and it will be great to put everything back in order for the benefit of generations. Those who lay at rest here have much to tell us about our own community. We look forward to sharing their history in the near future.

Survey Projects:
Work in Sagamore Vale has wrapped up! We are pleased that our consultant will be submitting forms to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for acceptance to their MACRIS database. Work will be going out to bid on Hastings Heights soon. The State Historical Commission finally received their federal funding and let us know projects can start edging toward start. This important nineteenth-century neighborhood was originally skipped during the first phase of work in West Medford. We look forward to returning to the area and adding a number of resources to the inventory of historic assets.

We will wrap up our meeting with various other updates and end with meeting minutes. As always, if you have questions, feel free to reach out!