Untitled - Town of Windham

HISTORIC DISTRICT/HERITAGE COMMISSIONThe Historic District/Heritage Commission is a Town Land Use Board appointed by the Board ofSelectman. Its purpose is to preserve Windham’s Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks, especiallythose that are included in the Archeological or Architectural Resource Lists.The Historic Resource List is made up of 2 documents which can be viewed on the Town of Windhamwebsite:• 18th, 19th, & 20th Century Buildings• Archeological Sites and StructuresMuch effort was put into rewriting the Demolition Review Ordinance. These changes clarified theapplicant’s responsibilities as well as the HDC/HC timelines and posting. Proposed demolition ofbuildings or structures on the historic resource list, as well as major exterior changes, are reviewed bythe Commission and the Planning Department to decide if demolition should proceed. There were tworequests for demolition in 2012, and there were no objections or concerns from the Commission on eitherrequest.• Northland Farm at 183 Rockingham Rd; Map 3-B-625, was so compromised that preservationwas not feasible or requested. A visit to the Farm with the new owner, Tom Murray, and JoeMaynard took place as a Public meeting 5/22/12.• A home at 26 Range Road lot 13-A-100 (near Roulston Rd) was not compromised but there wereno objections to its demolition by the Commission, following a walk-through on 1/11/12.The Presbyterian Church requested input on repairing their steeple. Information was provided by theCommission to the Church representative, Doug Murray, on resource options. These included grantsthrough the Preservation Alliance and private organizations, such as the North Bennett School in Boston.The Commission is working on a Master Plan Historic Chapter. This is a project that has never beendone for the Master Plan before. Although this extra effort is not required for the ten year Master PlanUpdate, the Commission believes that it needs to be included as an important element. Full color maps,a history of each section of town including architectural changes, along with the Historic Resource Listswill be part of the chapter.Preservation of stonestructures is an importantpart of the Commission’sresponsibility. The historicTown Pound (related to“stone structures”) builtaround 1861, in the originaltown center, next to the oldFire Station, was cleared ofbrush and overgrowth thisyear. This work was paidfor from the HDC budget.Most towns had a pound inwhich stray animals were“impounded” but only a few of these historic structures survive. Fortunately Windham has one of them.2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 117 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH