Historical Commission
The Historical Commission is responsible for the preservation of Weston's historic and architectural heritage by:
- Creating and maintaining an inventory of historic assets, including:
- Barns and outbuildings
- Cemeteries
- Commercial buildings
- Historic districts
- Houses
- Monuments
- Neighborhoods
- Protecting the above-named assets from neglect, deterioration, demolition, and development
- Imposing a 12-month delay of demolition if proposed work is deemed detrimental to a significant historic structure
- Reviewing applications for demolition of any pre-1945 buildings
- Reviewing and overseeing preservation restrictions
- Recommending historical preservation projects to be funded from the Community Preservation Act Fund
- Applying for property listings on the National Register of Historic Places
- Approving applications for historic plaques
Preferably Preserved Buildings:
Classified Structures Proposed for Demolition
In reviewing a house proposed for demolition and subject to the Demolition Delay By-law (pre-1945 listed on the Cultural Inventory), the Historical Commission will make a determination if a structure should be preserved.
If the Commission determines a house should be preserved, it will impose a delay in the issuance of a building permit in order to work with the homeowner to explore alternatives to demolition. When the demolition delay has been imposed, the house is classified as "Preferably Preserved." See the Demolition Delay By-law for further information.
Members of the Historical Commission are appointed by the Select Board for three-year terms. Staff support is provided through the Land Use Department.
Members
- Phyllis Halpern, Co-Chair
Term Expires: 2025 - Steve Wagner, Co-Chair
Term Expires: 2025 - Mara Burnett
Term Expires: 2024 - Alfred Aydelott
Term Expires: 2024 - Kathryn Scadden
Term Expires: 2026 - Henry S. Stone, Jr.
Term Expires: 2025 - John Thompson
Term Expires: 2026 - Ford Curran, Associate Member
Term Expires: 2023
Community Representation
- Henry Stone
Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern and Local Historic District Study Committee - Phyllis Halpern
Educational Outreach - Steve Wagner
Community Preservation Committee and Educational Outreach - Kathryn Scadden
- Local Historic District Study Committee
- Alfred Aydelott
Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern
Additional Assistance Given to the Commission
- Pamela Fox - Historic Markers Program and historical education
- Alicia Primer - Development of Preservation Restrictions
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
All meetings of the Historical Commission are open to the public. Agendas are posted online prior the meeting. Minutes are also available online, following approval. Subscribe to receive notification of when meeting agendas are posted online.
-
Christine Zale
Asst. Town Planner/Historical Commission AdminPhone: 781-786-5037
-
Margy Cohen
Permit AdministratorPhone: 781-786-5066
Permitting Resources
Explore Weston's History
An incredible amount of information about Weston's rural and historic character can be found on the About Weston's History web pages, including:
- The Town's historic resources, neighborhoods, areas and districts
- architectural styles found in Weston
- subjects relating to the historic preservation of homes and structural elements
- information on preserving Weston's rural character
- resources to aid homeowners in preserving historical assets at home