Southborough center could be National Historic District
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Southborough - A recent meeting in town began as a work session for the proposed reconstruction of Main Street and ended as a discussion about how to get downtown Southborough recognized as a historic district.

Regarding the proposed reconstruction of Main Street, the town wants to make changes to the street (Route 30) that include widening the road and adding sidewalks and parking spaces. The proposed reconstruction is not on the town's to-do list until 2012.

Prior to that, Kate Matison of the Historical Commission said the town could find itself declared a National Historic District because of its characteristics.

Matison expects the main area of focus to be the area adjacent to and including the Southborough Common, at the intersection of routes 30 and 85. She said both the commission and the residents want to maintain the historical ambience of that area.

Madison explained that the decision to make the area a historic district and just how large an area would be recognized is completely up to the residents of the area, who would vote on both issues.

Presently, the National Register of Historic Places includes more than 13,000 districts, including the Shrewsbury Town Common, West Main Street in Westborough and Marlborough Center.

Factors that contribute to an area making the cut and getting on the National Register include architecture, its historical relevance and if it has been the site of historical events.

Should the town decide to go forward with the plan to make the downtown area a historic district, the next step in the process would be for the Southborough Historical Commission to meet with residents and outline the plan, explain the ramifications and answer questions.

Following that, if the town's Historical Commission decides there's enough interest in the project, the town contacts the state's Historical Commission.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission would then come to town and meet with residents and discuss potential boundaries to the district and residents living within the proposed boundaries would vote. The majority of those voters would have to approve the plan for it to move forward.

If that happens, the Southborough Historical Commission would hire a consultant who would prepare the application to nominate the district to the National Register. Matison said the cost of the consultant would be about $6,000, but the money could be allocated to the project through the town Community Preservation Committee.

After the consultant submits the application to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, that group would make the final decision.

Matison pointed out that should the area be designated a National Historic District, it would be a ceremonial honor.

It wouldn't bring with it any restrictions on property owners, Matison said, and property owners wouldn't have to get approval from anyone before making any structural or cosmetic changes to their homes.