[MassHistPres] Fee for HD Applications?

[Michael Roughan]

Richard,

We have the same policies in Hopkinton with no fee in either LHD nor for
the Historical Commission.

I’m curious how Swampscott defines “partial demolition”? In Hopkinton’s we
restrict it to any modifications to the building’s structure but exclude
exterior envelope under the premise that those renovations are “restorable”
at some future date.


......Mike

Michael Roughan
Chairman, Historical Commission

On Tue, Oct 6, 2026 at 8:18 AM Richard Smith via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> In Swampscott we do not charge for applications.  The Swampscott Historic
> District Commission reviews applications for exterior work within the
> historic district, and the Swampscott Historical Commission reviews
> applications involving partial or total demolition for buildings over 75
> years old outside the district.  Neither charges fees for this.
> Sent from my iPad
>
> Richard Smith
>
> On Oct 1, 2026, at 2:17 PM, Erica Swallow via MassHistPres <
> masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
>
> 
> Springfield, MA is trying to change its Historic District Ordinance to
> levy an undetermined fee against the applicant once a property is accepted
> for a study. The language in the draft ordinance changes is:
>
> "*Report.* Once the Commission has determined such building, group of
> buildings, or site has
> historic significance, then the Commission, or a consultant selected by
> the Commission, shall
> draft and submit all required reports for designation in accordance with
> the Historic Districts
> Act. The cost and expense to the Commission for the preparation and
> submission of all such
> reports shall be levied against the applicant. The Commission shall
> discuss the cost estimate with
> the applicant seeking the creation of the district prior to drafting the
> report to ensure that the
> applicant wishes to cover the expenditure."
>
>
> The Springfield Historical Commission has approved the changes (this among
> others which weaken historic protections in the city), but it hasn't been
> seen by City Council yet.
>
> The fee in this case is undetermined and could be thousands of dollars,
> depending on the proposed district size. Imagine if our current largest
> districts (my own with 800+ houses in it) were paid for by the applicant
> (residents). That would have been cost prohibitive.
>
> I'm disturbed by the failure of our historical commission to do its job:
> protecting historic resources. Instead, it's doing the bidding of the
> economic development office wherein the commission sits, and making it more
> difficult to protect historic structures.
>
> Sincerely,
> Erica
>
> Erica Swallow
>
> *President*
>
> Springfield Preservation Trust
>
> president at springfieldpreservation.org
>
> (413) 314-3383
>
> springfieldpreservation.org
>
> <https://www.facebook.com/PreserveSpringfield>
>
> <https://www.instagram.com/springfieldpreservation/>
>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaswallow/>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of Nancy
> Robbins via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> *Sent:* Monday, September 28, 2026 4:07 PM
> *To:* masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> *Cc:* McGrath Ellen <ellen_mcgrath at yahoo.com>
> *Subject:* [MassHistPres] Fee for HD Applications?
>
> How many towns out there charge an Application fee to obtain a Certificate
> and what is the amount?  If a project requires more than one Application do
> you charge multiple fees?  Each one the same?  Where does the money from
> the fees go?
>
> Do any towns request town funding or use Application fees to have
> continuing education or educational programs related to Historic
> Preservation?
>
>
> Nancy Robbins FedericiCMP, CMM
> Independent Meeting Planner
> 42 Mansfield Avenue
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/42+Mansfield+Avenue+%0D%0A+Norton,+MA+02766?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/42+Mansfield+Avenue+%0D%0A+Norton,+MA+02766?entry=gmail&source=g>
> Norton, MA
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/42+Mansfield+Avenue+%0D%0A+Norton,+MA+02766?entry=gmail&source=g>
> 02766
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/42+Mansfield+Avenue+%0D%0A+Norton,+MA+02766?entry=gmail&source=g>
> (c) 508-958-5165
> nancyrobbins2 at yahoo.com
>
> Take the road less traveled,
> It's often less crowded!
>                  (fortune cookie)
>
>
>
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