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.