HADLEY — A proposal to create a small local historic district encompassing town and nonresidential buildings in Hadley center will not move forward until decisions are made on the future of the Russell School building.
Even though Select Board members appeared supportive of the Historical Commission’s idea of establishing a district that would provide better protection for the historic appearance of buildings, and possible grant money for improvements, they voted 5-0 to put on hold initiating the process out of concern for moving too rapidly and jeopardizing potential projects for rehabilitating the historic school building.
Chairman David J. Fill II said he likes the idea of a local historic district, but worries that it would tie the hands of the town and developers. In January, the town got proposals from two developers interested in using the 1894 Russell School building for housing.
Decisions on the reuse of the Russell School might have to be postponed indefinitely if a local historic district is created, said board member Joyce Chunglo, who added that she fears “analysis paralysis.”
Diana West, chairwoman of the Historical Commission, said the size of the district would be small, including only a few properties on Middle Street and Russell Street, including the Russell School, First Congregational Church, Town Hall, the Goodwin Building that housed the town library, and the former St. John’s Church that is now home to V-One Vodka. West said the district might also have to encompass the former bank building that is now a Dunkin’ Donuts, though this would be considered an intruding structure.
The proposed district is within National Register of Historic Places created in 1994 after a decade-long effort. The designation of town center and the Hockanum and North Hadley villages, which include more than 1,000 acres and 600 homes, is mostly symbolic, with no restrictions on property owners. When the Hooker School on Middle Street was torn down, though, the town had to document the building’s removal.
A group of 17 buildings in the center of Hadley, including Town Hall, were also placed on the National Register in 1977.
Although such a district would also mean formation of a historical preservation commission that would review exterior alterations to buildings and ensure compliance with historic character, there would also be grants available because Hadley would be considered a certified local government.
“This really opens up property owners to grant opportunities and other state and federal money,” West said.
To get the process started, West said, the town would have to alert property owners, form a study committee that would include representation by Realtors and architects, and then, when the study is complete in 18 months to two years, have Town Meeting approve the district by a two-thirds majority.
Select Board members said leaving out the Russell School would make them more comfortable, but West said the site of the district was chosen because commission members are concerned about its fate.
“We can exclude Russell School, but we don’t really want to,” West said.
Other residents expressed caution at creating the local historic district based on experience. Susan Glowatsky, the town tax collector who lives on Middle Street, said restrictions can be substantial; while Valerie Hood, a Finance Committee member, recalls that similar oversight was in place when she owned a home in Newport, Rhode Island.
“Just a few people had all the power to really impact the well-being of properties in that area,” Hood said.
Select Board member John Waskiewicz said he is also skeptical of the preservation that would be required, noting the challenges the town has had in handing off the North Hadley Village Hall to a private developer.
But Denise Barstow, a member of the Historical Commission, said town officials should consider the grant opportunities available, and that practical people would be on the local historic commission who wouldn’t be overly demanding.