Preservation Mendon

The Milford Daily News has a couple of articles describing the purchase and sale agreement to preserve a 14 acre property along Chicken Brook (a Charles River tributary). The town plans to use CPA (Community Preservation Act) funds and use the property as a "community organic farm".

The first article describes the purchase and sale.

The second one reports that the sale was approved at Town Meeting.

The Boston Globe has a great story about Shirley's last "great barn" being moved to Martha's Vineyard. The barn was saved, in part, by Shirley's demolition delay bylaw.

The Boston Globe reports that the Waltham City Council has approved a 6 month demolition delay bylaw. It now awaits the signature of the mayor.

An interesting article from the National Trust about demolition of historic structures in Connecticut -- it's that local interpretation is definitely a problem. We at Preservation Mendon are struggling with definition of "significance" and "preferably preserved" and each "real" case brings it's uniqueness to the table. Trying to encompass "ALL" of these potential situations becomes a monster.

The Brookline Historical Commission voted to impose a demolition delay on Red Sox owner John Henry's two homes. Here's the Boston Herald article.

By John Trainor

Mendon is the proud progenitor of eight offspring, five children and three grandchildren. She was first settled in 1659/60 and officially incorporated in 1667, being the second oldest town in Worcester County, following Lancaster. The Town was originally 8 miles square more or less, and included the modern-day towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Hopedale, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Upton and Uxbridge. For this reason, the Town is sometimes referred to as “Mother Mendon”.

Because of location and circumstance she has remained remarkably intact over the years. Mendon survived unscathed as a preserved village because it escaped the industrial revolution, unlike its neighboring towns which broke off. And so, she remained agrarian and unblemished.

At the time, it was probably considered less fortunate because it didn't have the resources for industrial development (rivers and such), but in retrospect, that uniqueness saved it from the evils of environmental disfigurement. It now has the highest property values of any of its neighboring towns, and is considered a VERY appealing place to live.

Today Mendon is faced with a new kind of development, and the community must reflect on her past and use it as a tool to prevent Mendon from the demanding onslaught of development which effectively damaged the aesthetic beauty of other towns 100 years ago. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.

We ALL agree that Mendon must stimulate growth but not at the expense of retaining it's rural charm and historically significant architecture. Mendon has the very real opportunity to age well, with dignity and style.

This Mendon Reconnaissance Report (2MB, PDF file) portrays her natural beauty and sheds light on shrewd and discerning planning methods that would not only maintain her glow but also enhance it. As Elizabeth Vizza, a contributor to this revealing document states, “Mendon possesses a wealth of scenic landscapes, from the intimacy of a historic burying ground to the breathtaking expanse of a farm field laced with stone walls. It is one of those jewels of a community that retains a strong link to a rural heritage so valued and so important to protect”.

Please also read the Town Crier Article (300KB, JPG file) of October 19th, 2007. It is succinct and insightful. Also, please refer to the Mendon Reconnaissance Report Map, as needed.

www.elizabethvizzaconsulting.com

The Milford Daily news has an article about our Demolition Delay Workshop.

The Cape Cod Times reports that the town of Dennis is struggling to maintain an identity of the town

That’s what some 45 to 50 mostly Mendon residents were trying to determine at a Demolition Delay Workshop held last Tuesday, October 2nd at 7PM. Most came away with more insight about how a Demolition Delay Bylaw works and the awareness that alternatives to tearing down historic buildings should be contemplated.