Sunday March 23, 2003 7 PM
In attendance: Wendy Pirsig, Jean Graunke, Phil Kendrick, Kristine
Roberge
We focused on creating specific policies and strategies and how to
present them. Here is the rough draft that we have temporarily come up
with, we are still trying to solidify this and make sure all aspects are
addressed.
Policy 1.) Survey, identify and catalog areas of historic significance
throughout
town.
Strategies.) Supplement the survey of the downtown area conducted in
1998
with more precise information about the structures.
Also an expansion
of the survey to encompass areas of significant
importance outside the
downtown area - churches, schools, railroad/trolley
features,
important transportation routes, sites of important
events, cemeteries and
homes of significant people.
Create a map of National Historic Register
properties in existence
and potential properties according to the survey of
1998.
Policy 2.) Preservation, maintenance and enforcement of code.
Strategies.) Expansion of the Historic District to encompass Main St.
(bridge to bridge), Portland St.
(to the Golf Course), Academy St. (to Berwick
Academy). Add map of proposed District
to existing district map.
Establish "Historic Scenic Views/Areas", possible
"Hamlet" areas outside of downtown (Old
Fields, Emery's Bridge, Witchtrot, etc.). Different
parts of town that have a concentration
of historically significant properties should be
documented and taken note of.
Possible ways to receive more grants and funding for
maintenance of properties and improvements
to public spaces: National Historic Register
Listings, Certified Local Government, Community
Development Block Grants, Main Street Program.
Explore / implement tax incentives on a local level for
owners of properties in Historic Districts for
specified amounts of time so the properties may be
maintained / fixed according to the codes in
the HD Ordinance.
Establish a "Design Review Board" to help maintain the
character of the town.
Enforcement of the Historic District Ordinance in
regards to the maintenance of properties in the
districts by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Rehabilitation of buildings is always preferable, but
if demolition is inevitable, allow for proper
documentation for future generations.
Restoration and Maintenance of cemeteries - Implement a
5 year plan with the assistance of
Maine Cemetery Association (or similar) in
conjunction with local Veteran's groups for the
proper maintenance and repair of the grounds and
headstones etc. Place under town
responsibility with the Dept. of Public Works.
Policy 3.) Heightened awareness.
Strategies.) Rejuvenation of the South Berwick Board of Trade as a local
Chamber of Commerce with
the possible long term goal of becoming a Main
Street Program.
Development of History Tourism to attract visitors,
benefit residents and bolster local businesses.
Creation of maps / brochures of significant historic
and scenic areas for visitors and residents to
frequent. Possibly the creation of an informational
office / welcome center at the Jewett Eastman
House or The Counting House.
This area could also be useful for the listing of our
cultural resources in town - local artisans, farmers,
local fund raisers, etc. Possibly even for the
display of art and other projects by our schools.
Addition of informational signage around town with
dates, names and pertinent information about
locations.
This is the list we have so far. Jack Shipley has also approached our
group about adding a sub-committee
for Cultural Resources. Apparently there are a couple of people who
are interested in taking over that
aspect of the Comp. Plan. After they have come up with the new
additions to the Plan we will add it to this
section and submit it.
We will be meeting again on Sunday March 30, 2003 at 7 PM and we will be
enjoying
the company of Tad Baker who will be sharing his expertise on the
Archaeological aspect of this plan.
Respectfully Submitted
Kristine Roberge
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