Unionville commission outlines process to recruit new properties into historic district

The Unionville Historic District and Properties Commission discussed a plan on May 7 to recruit additional properties into the town’s historic district, outlining a multistep process that begins with a target list and culminates in municipal and state review.

Commission members said the process typically starts with compiling a list of properties the commission would like to invite into the district, preparing an informational letter and packet, then conducting research and producing a history report for the candidate house. That report and the application are reviewed by the commission, forwarded to the Town Council and then to the State Historic Preservation Office for final approval.

“We start by making a list. And we actually have an existing list of all the properties we’re interested in,” a commission member said, describing outreach that can include educational sessions in spring or fall and personal contact by members. The commission noted it has about 43 properties now and that recruiting requires time and careful research.

The chair said she will meet with John and Dana Vert at 126 Main Street after they expressed interest in nominating their house to the district; the commission will provide printed application forms and guidance on researching home histories. Members pointed to town archives, the town clerk’s records (now in the old high-school vault) and online historic-resource inventories at the library as key research sources.

Commissioners also discussed disclosure and permitting: staff said historic-district status is flagged on town maps and in the permitting system but may not always be obvious on realtor listings. Members asked staff to consider easy public-facing ways to show which properties are in the district on the town website.

Next steps: the commission will prioritize recruitment tasks, prepare outreach materials and follow up with the Vert homeowners.