Council urges mayor to appoint historical review commission

from The Sun, August 7-13, 2009
by Amiee Henderson, Staff Writer, ahenderson@turley.com

HOLYOKE – The City Council voted at Tuesday’s meeting to urge Mayor Michael J. Sullivan to appoint at least five people to serve on a review commission for the recently established historical district on Fairfield Avenue.

City Councilor At-Large Rebecca Lisi said she filed the order after residents on the street expressed concern over the issue.

“They were getting no response from the mayor’s office,” said Lisi. “And, they were very concerned that building permits were being issued for that block with no historic review commission to look at them.”

Lisi said the residents spent a lot of time to see that the neighborhood became a historical district, and they don’t want to see that go to waste.

“There was a lot of work done to establish what the area would look like and what the flavor of the neighborhood would be historically speaking, and without a commission those are not being recognized,” said Lisi.

At Tuesday’s meeting Lisi explained to fellow councilors that after the establishment of the historical section on Fairfield Avenue a review commission should have been appointed according to Massachusetts General Laws (MGL).

“On December 18, 2007 we as a council unanimously voted to create a historical district, and under Massachusetts General Laws the mayor has to appoint at least five, but up to seven, to a serve on a review commission,” said Lisi. “I want to make sure the historical codes are being met because any permit that the building commissioner issues may be putting the city at risk of violation.”

Lisi cited multiple MGS chapters and sections which layout rules for historical districts, but MGL Chapter 40C: Section 4, “Study committees; commissions; establishment; membership; terms; vacancies; compensation; officers” discusses the appointment of said commission.

“Whenever an historic district is established as provided in section three an historic district commission shall be established,” reads the MGL. “An historic district commission shall be appointed in a city by the mayor…the members of the historic district commission shall include one or more residents of or owners of property in an historic district to be administered by the commission.”

At the council’s Dec. 18, 2007 meeting it voted unanimously on an ordinance granting the historical section on Fairfield Avenue. The ordinance states that the commission board would be composed of seven members, allowing two seats for outside professionals (an architect and a realtor). The remaining seats would be filled by residents. Councilor John J. O’Neill also made an amendment to the ordinance that night to include a clause under the “commission” section that read, “at all times no less than five members of the board be residents of Holyoke.”

Lisi said residents “feel slighted” for the lack of response from the mayor to appoint a board seeing historic preservation is something the community and residents are interested in.

“After receiving a blessing from the mayor and city council to go forward with the program, residents feel slighted that it hasn’t gone anywhere,” said Lisi.

As of press time, Mayor Sullivan was unavailable for comment.

Lisi’s Campaign Kick-Off; A Future Rooted in History

press release; June 19, 2007

HOLYOKE- Wednesday, June 13, At-Large Candidate Rebecca Lisi of 25 Reservation Road celebrated her campaign kick-off at the Delaney House with friends, neighbors and community stakeholders. At the event, Lisi shared her vision for a re-vitalized Holyoke that makes use of the city’s historic past.

“We need to move forward with an appreciation and admiration for the work and the structures established thus far… Smart Growth Principles build upon the existing infrastructure of our industrially planned city,” Lisi said.

Smart Growth encourages compact development in a city’s urban core that protects historic resources, preserves green spaces, and promotes mixed industrial, commercial, and residential uses. These principles can increase job and business opportunities by attracting private sector investments to areas near clusters of housing, workforce, and transportation options.

Lisi said, “Directing development downtown makes economic avenues clear and predictable and develops a tax base that can help relieve the city of its massive subsidies. When we invest in… downtown, we create a Holyoke that is safe, attractive, and affordable for young people, families, and seniors to live”.

Lisi also mentioned the need for increased resident participation in city government and organizations. She stated that supportive partnerships and shared responsibility between the city, its residents, businesses and the numerous non-profits located in Holyoke can make our community more effective as a group.

“The people in Holyoke are this city’s greatest resource. We need to make use of their interest and commitment to this community. I am going door-to-door to connect with residents face-to-face so we can work on overcoming challenges together”.