Historic preservation in Massachusetts local government
What Massachusetts city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about historic preservation — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
3,020 Massachusetts meetings since 2024 covered historic preservation. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Massachusetts with the most historic preservation activity
- Nantucket County, MA (278)
- Dennis, MA (177)
- Wellesley, MA (103)
- Salem, MA (103)
- Plymouth, MA (98)
- Watertown, MA (94)
- Northampton, MA (89)
- Carlisle, MA (84)
- Hingham, MA (79)
- Springfield, MA (74)
- Dartmouth, MA (68)
- Bridgewater Town, MA (61)
Latest matching meetings
Committee to review minutes and project updates
This meeting of the Community Preservation Committee is primarily procedural, with agenda items limited to reviewing June meeting minutes and receiving project updates. No new decisions or public hearings are scheduled.
Committee votes on funding for housing, open space, and historic projects
The Community Preservation Committee will discuss and vote on sponsoring warrant articles for the 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting, including FY2027 Community Preservation Act fund appropriations, expenses, and project funding. They will also review the status of the preservation restriction agreement and building…
Milford Historical Commission to approve minutes and plan 250th anniversary events
The Milford Historical Commission will meet on August 12, 2026 at Memorial Hall, 30 School Street. The agenda includes approving the previous meeting minutes and reviewing the budget report. Old business items cover sponsoring the Antique Appraisal Day in October, museum display updates, a DOT‑sponsored reading in…
Public hearings on preserving eight historic buildings in Wellesley
The Wellesley Historical Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The hearing will consider preservation determinations and waivers for buildings constructed on or before December 31, 1949 that are slated for demolition. The listed properties are 22 Standish Road…
Historic District Commission to hold three public hearings on property alterations
The Hull Historic District Commission will review three separate requests for property modifications. The body will hold public hearings to discuss additions and replacements at specific residential addresses.
CPC to vote on FY27 Community Preservation Plan
The Community Preservation Committee will meet to discuss the process for funding applications and introduce new members. The committee may vote to adopt the FY27 Plainville Community Preservation Plan.
Historical Commission to review demolition and building preservation updates
The Historical Commission will meet to discuss updates on demolition applications and the preservation of 1900s structures. The body will also review the status of several endangered significant buildings and the NRHP listing for Carleton Hall.
Review minutes and discuss 665 & 663 Longmeadow Street proposals
The Longmeadow Historic District Commission will first review and approve the draft minutes from its July 14, 2026 meeting. It will then discuss two new business items concerning properties at 665 Longmeadow Street and 663 Longmeadow Street. The commission will also receive updates on the Building Use Task Force, a…
CPA votes on project awards, membership, and reauthorizations
The Community Preservation Committee will review results of the Spring Town Meeting regarding CPA projects, including Notice of Awards for Habitat for Humanity and the Playground & Recreation Committee. They will vote on authorizing FY2027 membership in the Community Preservation Coalition and reauthorizing…
Committee reviews CPA awards, conservation and preservation restrictions
The Community Preservation Committee will review results from the 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting, including Notice of Awards for Habitat for Humanity and the Playground & Recreation Committee. They will vote on FY2027 membership in the Community Preservation Coalition and reauthorization of CPA administrative…
Historical Commission to hold demolition delay hearing for 14 Plain Street
The Historical Commission will conduct a hearing regarding a demolition delay for the former Armstrong Cork factory. The commission will also discuss the town's demolition delay policy.
Historical Commission to visit Batchelder Property
The Historical Commission is conducting a site visit at 52 Jasper Hill Road. Members will meet with owner/contractor Dana Sanderson to walk through the property following a recent clean-out.
Methuen Historic District Commission to hear signage and roof projects
The Methuen Historic District Commission will hold public hearings on two projects at 203 Lawrence Street and review a railing modification at 16 Ditson Place. The agenda also includes a review of updated enforcement letters.
Affordable Housing Trust to discuss rehab funding for Inman Square Apartments
The Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Committee will meet to review minutes and discuss the use of Community Preservation Act funds. The body will consider a request for $4,244,897 to assist with the rehabilitation of Inman Square Apartments and CAST I & II.
Commission to consider demolition waiver for 20 Washington Square building
The Worcester Historical Commission will review several historic preservation petitions, including demolition delay waivers and certificates of appropriateness. Items include a waiver to demolish the 1883 building at 20 Washington Square and approvals for roof repairs, solar panel installation, and other alterations…
Committee votes to reorganize chair, vice chair, and clerk positions
The Plymouth Community Preservation Committee will consider several items at its July 23, 2025 meeting. Members are expected to vote on reorganizing the committee’s chair, vice chair, and clerk positions. The agenda also includes review of FY27 grant applications, a discussion and vote on appraisals for a site off…
Community Preservation Committee to hold CPA presentation and breakout sessions
The Community Preservation Committee will conduct a CPA presentation followed by breakout groups organized by CPA category. The meeting includes a period for open public comment.
Historic District Commission reviews changes to Mt. Auburn St. properties
The Commission will hold public hearings regarding two properties on Mt. Auburn St. The body will consider requests for certificates of appropriateness for window removals and residential development changes.
Commission discusses Historic Town Hall as potential Public Safety Facility site
The Hull Historical Commission will discuss the Historic Town Hall at 253 Atlantic Ave as a potential site for a new Public Safety Facility. The body will also review an interactive map of historic structures and vote on previous meeting minutes.
Wareham CP Committee meets to discuss agenda items
The Wareham Community Preservation Committee is scheduled to meet on July 22, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. to review documents for the upcoming session.
Workgroup will attend Select Board meeting on African Meeting House report
The African Meeting House Investigation Procurement Workgroup will meet on July 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the PSF Community Room at 4 Fairgrounds Road and via Zoom. The workgroup’s agenda includes attending a Select Board meeting to review the African Meeting House Investigation Report and its issuance. The meeting will…
Public hearing on Certificate of Appropriateness for 46 Summer Street alteration
The Plymouth Historic District Commission will hold public hearings on several Certificate of Appropriateness applications, including an exterior alteration at 46 Summer Street and a flagpole replacement at 6 Lincoln Street. The commission will also discuss updates to the Historic District Design Review Guidelines and…
Midland Cemetery Project status update discussed
The Historical Commission will review and approve the minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting, consider the resignation of Kris Allen, and discuss the accession/deaccession policy. It will consider plaques and MACRIS entry for historic witness houses, receive a status report on the Midland Cemetery project, and hear…
Conservation Commission to hold wetland and stormwater permit hearings
The Conservation Commission will conduct public hearings for several wetland and stormwater permit applications. The body will also review requests for certificates of compliance and discuss Community Preservation Act applications for FY28.
Section 106 review of the Kernwood Bridge replacement project
The Historic District Commission will conduct a Section 106 review of the Kernwood Bridge replacement (MassDOT Project #605276). It will also determine historic significance for 39 Bow Street and discuss demolition alternatives for 40 Prince Street and related properties. The commission will review proposed updates to…
Review of the Kernwood Bridge replacement project under Section 106
The Historic District Commission will review the Section 106 status of the Kernwood Bridge replacement (Project #605276) by MassDOT. Commissioners will consider the historic significance of 39 Bow Street and discuss demolition alternatives for 40 Prince Street and similar properties. The commission will also examine…
Select Board to approve pending contracts and grant agreements on July 22
The Nantucket Select Board will consider routine business such as accepting the agenda, approving minutes and payroll warrants, and voting on pending contracts and grant agreements listed in Exhibit 2. The board will also discuss housing matters, including an amendment to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund declaration…
Section 106 review of the Kernwood Bridge replacement project over Danvers River
The Historic District Commission will review the Section 106 compliance for the Kernwood Bridge replacement (MassDOT Project #605276). It will consider the historic significance of 30 Bow Street and discuss demolition alternatives for 40 Prince Street and related properties. The commission will also continue…
Committee reviews projects and votes on Legion Field play area
The Community Preservation Committee will review financial reports, project updates for various town improvements, and vote on an eligibility form for an adaptive play area at Legion Field.
Historic district review of solar installations and home additions
The Old Kings Highway Committee will review several applications for property changes within the historic district. These include solar panel installations, residential additions, and new electric vehicle charging stations.
Commission to consider a letter supporting a demolition delay town meeting article
The Plymouth Historical Commission will review a letter of support for a demolition delay town meeting article and accept a donated High Street sign. It will also appoint a new commissioner, approve the July 7 minutes, and receive project and staff updates. Additional business and public comment will follow.
Commission will decide on demolition delay for 53 Colonial Road
The Webster Historical Commission meets on July 21, 2026. It will approve the June 16, 2026 meeting minutes, consider a demolition delay request for 53 Colonial Road, receive updates on the Community Preservation Act and historical signs at the Kelly Public Library, and discuss the Yatco Gulf historic property. No…
Commission will consider reorganizing its executive board
The Mansfield Historical Commission meeting will review routine items such as approving the May 19 minutes and handling correspondence. It will discuss the Fisher Richardson House, the Post Cane Award, and a MACRIS project. The agenda also includes a farewell to the chair and a proposal to reorganize the executive…
Commission will discuss reorganizing its executive board and farewell to the chair
The Mansfield Historical Commission will meet on July 21, 2016 at Town Hall Meeting Room 2 A/B 20. The agenda includes approval of May 19 meeting minutes, review of correspondence, discussion of the Fisher Richardson House, presentation of the Post Cane Award, a report on the Open Meeting Law, an update on the MACRIS…
Committee reviews repair estimates and parking changes for First Meeting House
The First Meeting House Preservation Committee will discuss repair estimates and parking changes at the Meeting House. The body will also review a new historic preservation grant for Central Massachusetts.
Historic District Commission to review 43 applications for permits
The Historic District Commission will meet to discuss and vote on 43 applications for historic district permits, including new dwellings, garage additions, and pool installations. The meeting will also include a public comment period and a question-and-answer session with the preservation planner.
Community Preservation Committee reviews $122,538 in fund requisitions
The Community Preservation Committee is meeting to review fund requisitions for town surveys and rental assistance. The body will also discuss preservation easements, project assignments, and the upcoming annual public forum.
Election of the 2026 Planning Board Vice‑Chairperson
The Beverly Planning Board will elect its 2026 Vice‑Chairperson and designate a representative to the Community Preservation Committee. It will consider subdivision plans that do not require approval and authorize a signatory for the board. The board will also approve the minutes from the May 26, 2026 meeting and…
Sign Advisory Council to review 33 Main St sign for The Hill House
The Sign Advisory Council will hold a public meeting to discuss and vote on a revised sign for 33 Main St (The Hill House), as well as approve minutes from prior meetings. No other substantive business is scheduled; the meeting includes public comment and commissioner comments.
Historical Commission to discuss budget cuts and Saccocia Block purchase
The Bridgewater Historical Commission will meet to discuss the purchase of the Saccocia Block, the impact of budget cuts on the Bridgewater Public Library Historical Room, and the installation of a historical marker at Sturtavent's Pond.