Public Service Committee backs David Owen for Local Historic District Commission

The Holyoke City Public Service Committee on Nov. 20 voted unanimously to approve a mayoral nomination recommending David Owen to the Local Historic District Commission for a three-year term ending July 1, 2028.

David Owen, who told the committee he lives at 12 Mason Road, said he is "very honored to be considered for this historical commission" and noted his training in architecture and building. "The historic commission is a great place especially in a place like Holyoke, where there is so much historic property," he said.

Owen said his primary focus would be the Community Preservation Act (CPA) program, and he urged better management of diminished available funds: "The money that's available through that program is less than it was," he said. Committee members pressed him on local preservation priorities and cited the long-delayed Victory Theater project as an example of work that needs concrete progress. Owen said the theater effort has been discussed for a decade and that "it's taking too, too darn long."

Councilor Howard Graney moved to approve the recommendation; the committee recorded three ayes, 3-0. Chair Juan Anderson Burgos told Owen the full City Council will take the nomination up at its next meeting, scheduled for Dec. 2.

The committee's vote at this meeting was a recommendation from the mayor's office; final confirmation will occur when the full City Council votes.