DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission has embarked on the first phase of establishing its second historical district. 

 

During last week's meeting, co-Chair Louisa Horth brought three maps of the proposed district, which would run from the cemetery on Park Avenue down to Depot Street. 

 

She recommended dividing the proposed district into multiple sections and assigning each section to specific commissioners.

 

The commission is responsible for taking pictures of every building within the district that meets historical status. On the back of each photo, they need to include the building's historical significance, the year it was built, and the type of architecture, Horth said. 

 

The commission can use the state's Cultural Resource Information System map, which shows some of the area's historic buildings, to help during the process, Commissioner Nancy Kane said. 

 

Once this phase is complete, the commission sends all of this information to the Massachusetts Historical Commission to review and continue with the next phase where it can hire a preservation specialist. 

 

Horth forewarned that this phase will take some time, so members may need to request an extension for the $5,000 state cultural grant. The Cultural Council awarded the commission the grant so it could hire a preservation specialist.