Milton Historical Commission asks Board of Selectmen for Historic District Study Commission

by Doug Scibeck.

Steven O’Donnell, Chair of the Historical Commission, asked the Board of Selectmen for the appointment of a local historic district study committee. The committee would explore the possibility of establishing a local historic district, principally at Milton Landing.

The proposal was made at the end of comments by O’Donnell during Citizens Speak at the June 11 board meeting. O’Donnell spoke about the condition of the Milton Yacht Club building. The building is part of a larger plan for Milton Landing. The commission believes the building is so deteriorated as to not be able to wait for the Milton Landing area plans to be determined. The commission also believes the condition is beyond the ability of the yacht club to refurbish and maintain.

The commission would like the board to apply for the building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town (Board of Selectmen) is the owner of the building and needs to be the one to apply. Such a designation would allow for the application for matching grants to assist in raising funds for refurbishment and maintenance.

The building was the original police lockup in 1884, and It is also the oldest town owned building according to O’Donnell. The board, agreeing to a motion made by Katie Conlon, supports the Historical Commission beginning the process for listing on the national register.

The creation of a Local Historic Commission, the subject of the study committee, would advance the cause of preserving historic sites and work with the state historic commission. O’Donnell said it would not affect zoning. Katie Conlon made a motion to create the study committee, which was seconded by Michael Zulas, and agreed to unanimously.