Heritage Commission appoints secretary, schedules barn monitoring and notes ZBA filing

At its July 15 meeting the Moultonborough Heritage Commission appointed member Steve Buy to the position of Heritage Commission secretary after Chair Cristina Ashjian nominated him and member Chris Shipp seconded; the appointment was approved unanimously.

Members also agreed to begin RSA 79-D barn monitoring visits starting in August. RSA 79-D relates to historic barn assessment and municipal monitoring programs used to document and monitor barns that may be eligible for property tax classification; the minutes record that the Commission will begin monitoring visits but do not list a schedule or assignment of specific monitoring tasks.

The commission received updates on membership and on a Castle Preservation Society application that is scheduled to be heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on July 15; the minutes describe that application as seeking permission for high-impact outdoor recreational uses. Members also noted that the Heritage overlay map posted on the town website is delayed by approximately two years.

Chair Cristina Ashjian distributed a handout titled "How to Evaluate the Integrity of a Property," describing the seven aspects of integrity commonly used in historic preservation: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. The handout was provided as guidance for future monitoring and evaluation efforts.

The commission adjourned at 5:50 PM on a motion by Chris Shipp, seconded by Steve Buy.