DALTON, Mass. — Efforts to establish historic districts in the town have spanned several decades, creating confusion about what voters originally approved.

 

"We have to bring them up to speed with the history of the situation with the districts," co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said during the commission's meeting on Wednesday.

 

In the late 1990s, voters approved the work to create all three historic districts, although at the time they were considered a single, known as the Main Street corridor historic district, she said.

 

When the town hired a consultant, Norene Roberts, to help with the district's establishment, she informed the commission that it had to be split into three because of the scope of work.

 

The first district, the Craneville Historic District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Sept. 14, 2005, after 10 years of work, and is located on Main and South Streets.

 

It has a rich history because of the activity in building, acquiring, and using the homes in the center of Craneville.

 

Mary Walsh in the only remaining commissioner involved in establishing the Craneville District.

 

The process to establish a second district is moving forward gradually; however, the committee must first confirm what voters previously approved.

 

The proposed second historic district starts at Park Avenue, where Main Street Cemetery is, and goes down to Depot Street. It then goes up High and North Streets.

 

Using information from town reports, minutes, newspaper articles, and other documentation, the commission intends to create a timeline showing the work it has done in the districts.

 

After reviewing photographs, subdivision plans, and development patterns, the state Historical Commission said it appears there is sufficient historical significance to proceed with the tedious process of establishing the district.

 

The state has not yet given official approval for the district, a necessary step before it can be considered for national registration, because additional information and documentation are required, which is why a consultant's expertise is needed.

 

During a town meeting in May 2022, voters approved a $15,000 matching grant that was for the establishment of the second and third historic districts.

 

At the town meeting, the Historic Commission estimated that establishing the next two districts would cost $30,000.

 

The commission originally planned to establish its second district, Dalton Center, and third district, East Main Street, simultaneously, but in June 2023, it decided it would be easier to establish them one at a time. 

 

The commission is looking into grants to cover the cost of a consultant. Once it obtains a grant, it will issue a request for proposals for a consultant.

 

If the commission cannot secure funding or if the cost to establish the second district proves too high, it will need to weigh whether the district's value justifies the expense, co-Chair Dennis Croughwell said in a follow-up.