The presentation of the final recommendation by the Marion Historic District Study Committee for the proposed historic district took place Wednesday, March 26. Chair Will Tifft began the presentation by stating the proposed bylaw would likely make it to Town Meeting and that this meeting would be to answer any questions. Tifft stated, however, that the proposition is finalized and will have no further revision.
“In all honesty, at this point, it’s completed from our point of view,” said Tifft, adding that this meeting is a state-required, pro forma (of the form) meeting to declare the completion of the Study Committee’s report.
Tifft explained the creation of a historic district follows state law Massachusetts General Law, Part I, Title VII, Chapter 40C: Historic Districts. Section 2 of this law states: “The purpose of this chapter is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history of the commonwealth and its cities and towns or their architecture, and through the maintenance and improvement of settings for such buildings and places and the encouragement of design compatible therewith.” The chair said all state-based historic districts base their existence off this law.
Tifft went on to explain that the proposed bylaw requires a two-thirds vote to pass. He continued, “It requires, very much, the town to do it. The state – and voters at the time – determined that everybody in the town deserves a voice in this, not only the people in the district.”
The process of the committee’s current work and surveying began in 2023, with Tifft saying it was concluded Marion Village has the “most intact historic village on the South Coast.” He continued by outlining some aspects of the district, stressing it being limited compared to others in the region. He said, “the bylaw would limit reviews to additions, new construction, and demolition only. All other alterations, including siding, roofing, windows, door trim, mechanical equipment, maintenance, paint colors, all of those things that everybody gets worked up about most are exempt.”
The proposed historic district and accompanying bylaw will be voted upon by Marion residents at this year’s Town Meeting, May 12, regardless of whether or not the resident would live in the proposed district. The vote requires a two-thirds majority for the bylaw to be added and for the historic district to be created. Additional information can be found on the Marion Historic District Study Committeepage of the town’s website, marionma.gov.
Marion Historic District Study Committee
By Sam Bishop