AHDC Minutes
Alford Historic District Commission
Board Meeting March 29, 2021
Present via Zoom: AHDC Members Robin Ban, Tricia Bevan, Alice Halsted, Shirley Mueller, Julie
Scott, Margareta Thaute, Ellen Bairstow (Alternate); Abutters Seyla Benhabib & Jim Sleeper
Absent: Ruth Littlechild
I: Call to Order: 5:02pm
II: Approval of Minutes: Minutes from AHDC Meeting of March 11, 2021 were unanimously approved.
III: Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness for the Seekonk Brook Wetlands Trail on the
property known as the Parsonage, 7 Alford Center Road, located in the Alford Historic District on
behalf of the Town of Alford.
At the previous AHDC meeting of March 11, 2021, Julie Scott was voted temporary AHDC chair for
these deliberations, as Alice Halsted, an abutter, recused herself.
Julie and Tricia provided a synopsis and background of the trail project. They acted as volunteer grant
writers on behalf of the town with support of the Select Board. It was noted that their work was not on
behalf of the AHDC, but as interested Alford residents. Julie reported on the current plans for the trail
which were posted on the town of Alford’s website for review. The grant rules have very tight deadlines
to complete work by a certain date. Work cannot begin until all permits and approvals from the necessary
town or state entities are in place. A reply is expected on the grant in the coming week/s. If the grant is
approved, it is expected that the town will be ready to move forward and achieve the deadlines required.
Seyla and Jim had some questions concerning financing, trail completion schedule, materials and parking.
They expressed support for the project.
Shirley made a motion to act on the decision of the AHDC’s March 11th determination that the trail
project described in the Town of Alford’s Application for Appropriateness is “insubstantial in its effect”
on the historic district per Mass. Gen. Laws 40 C Section 11. A second motion was made by Robin Ban.
The motion was carried unanimously.
At the March 11th meeting the AHDC determined that the trail project described in the Application for
Appropriateness submitted by the Town of Alford on March 3rd, is insubstantial in its effect on the
historic district and could be heard and reviewed by the commission without a public hearing under Mass.
Gen. Laws 40C Section 11, after proper notice to abutters.
The Commission further determined that the construction and alteration required to construct this trail is
compatible with the preservation and protection of the historic district. It further promotes the welfare of
town residents by offering a wheelchair-accessible trail to enjoy a nature viewing area overlooking a
Critical Supporting Watershed designated through the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered
Species Program (NHESP) – part of a Priority/Core Habitat area.
The AHDC’s determination of insubstantial effect on the preservation and protection of the town of
Alford’s historic district and to issue a Certificate of Applicability for the 500’ proposed trail included
many considerations: general design, significance and location of the site, visibility from the road,
materials, texture and color of the walkway, limited disturbance of the property, compatibility of walkway
to the surrounding area and no substantial derogation to the historic district.
The application, description and photos were posted on the town of Alford’s website on March 17th. A
notice of today’s meeting was mailed to abutters within 300 feet on March 18th by the Town of Alford as
applicant.
Votes to act on the determination of insubstantial effect on the historic district were recorded as follows:
Julie Scott-Yes; Robin Ban-Yes, Tricia Bevan-Yes, Shirley Mueller-Yes, Margareta Thaute-Yes. Alice
Halsted-Recused; Ellen Bairstow-Alternate-Abstained.
_____________________________________________________________________Julie Scott, Chair
IV: Election of Chair: A motion was made by Robin Ban to elect Alice Halsted as Chair. A second
motion was made by Tricia Bevan. The motion was carried unanimously. Alice Halsted chaired the
remainder of the meeting.
V: New Business
Reminder: Members were reminded to submit their Certificate of Completion for the Conflict of Interest
Law course directly to the Town Clerk. Members should send the Certificate of Receipt of Open Meeting
Law Materials to Alice as soon as possible. When all the forms are in, Alice is required to give them to
the Town Clerk.
Special Meeting: An informational meeting re the expansion of the Historic District must be held prior to
the annual Town Meeting on May 11th. A date was set for April 24th at 11am. It was suggested that the
Parsonage lawn would be an ideal location for this meeting. A rain date of April 25th at 11am would be
announced. If rain is predicted for both dates, a zoom link will be provided for April 25th at 11am. Alice
and Shirley will contact the Select Board and Jayne Smith, Alford Board of Health Representative,
regarding details and requirements for this meeting before moving forward.
Annual Event: It was agreed that the AHDC’s annual event would be held on Labor Day and would be
kept as simple as possible. It would consist of a picnic outdoors (BYO). A tent, tables, chairs and port-apotty
would be available. There would be a display of “Quarantine Reflections” and a slideshow of the
“Snapshot in Time” in Town Hall if possible. Health protocols would be followed. Alice and Shirley will
discuss with the Select Board and Jayne Smith. Alice will make arrangements for the tent, Shirley will
arrange for sanitation (handicap-accessible) and Tricia will set up a time and place for the Bateria
appearance as part of the event. Other music possibilities were discussed, but no further decisions were
made.
A discussion followed about the need for audiovisual equipment for use at AHDC events. Further
research will be done in order to discuss and make any decisions.
VI: Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:09pm.