The Walpole Historical Commission (WHC), established by the Board of Selectmen in 1970 under the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chapter 40, Section 8D, is the official advocate for the preservation, protection and development of the Town of Walpole’s historical and archaeological assets. Per MGL Chapter 40 Section 8D, it may also seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
The Commission meetings are held in the Town Hall as frequently as necessary but not less than six times annually. Meeting notices are posted on the Town Hall bulletin board and are called to order at 7:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month. The meetings are open to the public.
The Commission deals with a variety of local issues which affect scenic roads, historic buildings and structures, archeological resources and other historical assets.
It sometimes receives inquiries from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, or state or federal agencies asking for comments on proposed state or federally involved projects in the Town of Walpole. These projects may impact historical or archaeological resources. Other groups have interacted with the Commission, including utility and telecommunications companies.
The Commission has also been involved with conducting inventories of historical properties in the Town. A Communitywide Historical Properties Survey, funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and an anonymous local resident, was conducted in 2008. Members of the Commission were consulted during the survey process. |
