Analysis: Town and Schools
Historical Commission
Posted since 2010: 192 agendas, 140 sets of minutes, 7 recordings. All boards.
lunenburgbudgetproject.org — written by the Lunenburg Budget Project, an independent tool for residents. Not affiliated with the Town of Lunenburg, the School Committee or the school district. The data this page is computed from: /data/boards.json
The Historical Commission shall act for the preservation, protection, and development of the historical or archeological assets of the Town. The commission shall conduct research for places of historic or archeological value, shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print, and distribute materials that it deems necessary for its work. It shall make recommendations to the Select Board that any place be certified as a historical landmark.
The rest of what the town says about it (113 more words)
The commission may hold hearings and may enter into contracts with individuals, organizations, and institutions for services furthering their objectives.
The commission may acquire in the name of the Town by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise, lease, or otherwise, the fee or lesser interest in real or personal property of significant historical value and may manage the same. The commission shall file an annual report which shall be included in the Annual Town Report.
The Historical Commission shall be composed of five (5) members appointed by the Select Board for terms of three years each with said terms staggered so that as nearly an equal number of members shall be appointed each year.
69% minutes posted, FY26 (9 of 13) · 0% on YouTube, FY27 so far (0 of 3) · compared
How the Historical Commission compares with the other boards →
Annual report: filed in 7 of the 14 years the town has asked, FY2014–FY2022; the contents page printed “No Report Submitted” beside it 3 times (FY2015, FY2023, FY2025). The town’s own words, off the contents page of each annual report.
Finance: the 4 accounts the Historical Commission owns, 3 of them funds →
The people: 4 named in Historical Commission in FY2025, across 10 years of charts →
Get told when the Historical Commission posts or changes an agenda, or a meeting’s recording, transcript and our minutes are all in. This page has a feed: https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/feeds/historical-commission.xml. Paste it into any feed reader, or into a free feed-to-email service such as Feedrabbit or Blogtrottr to get it as email. No account here, and nothing about you is recorded.
Upcoming meetings
Thu, Oct 15, 2026in 5 days
the posted agendaRecent meetings
| date | our minutes | recording | agenda | official minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15 2026 | needs video | not available | agenda | not available |
| Sep 10 2026 | needs video | not available | agenda | not available |
| Sep 8 2026 | needs video | not available | agenda | not available |
| Jun 2 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | MISSING |
| May 5 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | MISSING |
| Apr 7 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Mar 10 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Mar 3 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | MISSING |
| Feb 5 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Jan 6 2026 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Dec 11 2025 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Nov 18 2025 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Oct 20 2025 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Oct 14 2025 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
| Sep 23 2025 | needs video | MISSING | agenda | minutes |
The last 15 dates this board met, by today’s date rather than the day the site was built — so a meeting moves here on its own. For a program, every agenda and set of minutes as one text file: /minutes/historical-commission.txt.
Votes, newest first
From the town’s minutes (130 of 140 sets read) and our minutes of the recordings (0), joined per meeting: 56 substantive, 75 procedural (accepting minutes, adjourning). Where both records have a vote the town’s wording stands; none disagree on the outcome.
| date | motion | outcome | record | check it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18 2025 | The Selectboard voted down the Historical Commission/APDC merger (a vote by the Selectboard, not a motion by this board).“the historical commission/apdc merger was voted down 3-2 by the selectboard.” | failed 3-2 | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 20 2025 | Include the merger of the APDC and the Historical Commission in the warrant for the Town meeting. — moved by the APDC and the Historical Commission“a motion was made by the apdc and the historical commission to include the merger in the warrant for the town meeting.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jun 11 2025 | Purchase a replica of the Boston Post Cane and urge the Selectboard to reinstate the tradition of the cane.“a motion was made and accepted to purchase a replica of the boston post cane and urge the selectboard to reinstate the tradition of the cane.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 8 2024 | Combine the Historical Commission and the APDC into one commission (minutes note both commissions must vote in favor for it to be approved).“withnopubliccomment, a motionwasthenmadeinfavor of combiningboth, andall membersof thehistorical commisionvotedinfavor.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 8 2024 | Re-elect Richard McGrath to continue as Chair.“richardmcgrathwasnominatedtocontinuehisroleaschair after hismanyyearsof exemplaryperformanceleadingthecommission. thismotionwaspassedunanimously.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 8 2024 | Accept Brian Knight's proposal for the town survey.“soamotionwasmadeandpassedtoaccept brianknight'sproposal.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 8 2024 | Bypass the demolition delay for 827 Lancaster Ave so the applicant can continue (barn/garage addition).“amotionwasmadetobypassthisdemodelayandallowthemtocontinue.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 25 2024 | Approve the response to Karin Menard prepared by Town Counsel, with copies distributed as required by law. — moved by Mr.Lakso“on motion regularly made by mr.lakso and seconded by ms. sanderson, the commission unanimously voted:” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 22 2024 | Approve the response to Mr. Menard as prepared by Town Counsel, with copies distributed as required by law. — moved by Mr. Lakso“to approve the response to mr. menard as prepared by town counsel, with copies distributed as required by law.” | passed, unanimous | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 22 2024 | Defer discussion of five Old Business items to the May 2024 meeting, since all had been on the April 4 agenda. — moved by not stated“it was regularly moved, seconded, and unanimously voted to defer discussion, since all had been on the agenda for the april 4 meeting” | passed, unanimous | the minutes | the minutes |
| Dec 7 2023 | Allow the project at 899 Flat Hill road to continue, after the historical status of the structure was found to have no historical significance.“sothecommissionvotedunanimouslytoallowtheproject tocontinue.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jan 10 2023 | to approve demolition of 1325 Mass. Ave.“the commission unanimously approved the demolition with no delay.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jan 10 2023 | to approve demolition of 44 Pierce Ave.“unanimous vote taken for demolition without delay.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Dec 13 2022 | Hold a public hearing for demo delay application by Dan and Jean Proctor for property at 1325 Mass Ave“vote taken, all in favor for a public hearing.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Dec 14 2021 | Procure a cast bronze plaque listing names of sponsors of the memorial at the Arnold/Litch burial ground site, following Mr. McGrath's determination of the cost — moved by not stated“one motion was made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to procure a cast bronze plaque following mr. mcgraths determination of the cost.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Mar 25 2021 | Demolition Delay bylaw amendments dated March 24, 2021 were approved“on motion made and seconded, the amendments were unanimously voted approved” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Mar 3 2020 | Accept the Community Preservation Act warrant article with a 3% tax surcharge, and exemptions for low income, and the first $100,000 of property for both residential and business taxpayers — moved by Dwyer“dwyer motioned to accept the article as written, sanderson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Feb 4 2020 | approve the final design of the historic district signs“the final design of the signs was selected and approved by unanimous vote.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Dec 4 2018 | permit demolition of the barn at 4 Townsend Harbor Rd without the imposition of delay“the commission voted unanimously to permit demolition without the imposition of delay” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Dec 4 2018 | release the barn at 68 Elm Street from demolition delay for the purpose of disassembly, relocation and restoration — moved by Lakso“lakso motioned to release the barn at 68 elm street from demoli- tion delay for the purpose of disassembly, relocation and restoration, as discussed. the motion carried unanimousl” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 4 2018 | Accept the report on the Form B Project“the report was accepted by unanimous vote.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 4 2018 | Arrange for the acquisition of the stone, create a bronze plaque to be secured to it, secure approval from the town planning board, and determine from the department of public works the best location within the right of way of West Street Terrace to position it“on motion regularly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted: to arrange for the acquisition of the stone, create a bronze plaque to be secured to it, secure approval from the town planning board, and determine from the department of public works, the best location within the right of way of west street terrace to position it.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Aug 7 2018 | No demolition delay imposed, but the cemetery commission must advertise the building for removal first“on motion regularly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted: that no demolition delay be imposed, but that the cemetery commission exert reasonable efforts to advertise the availability of the ” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 3 2018 | Permit demolition of the house at 99 Boucher Road“the commission decided that the house was of little historical value and voted unanimously to permit demolition.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 3 2018 | Encumber the Commission's budget to the limit of current available funds for historic milestones restoration — moved by Lantry“lantry motioned to encumber the commission's budget to the limit of current available funds for the project. the motion carried unanimously.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| May 2 2017 | Encumber three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) allotted in the town budget for the Historical Commission“voted: the historical commission will encumber the monies, three thousand dollars ($3000.00) allotted in the town budget for the historical commission” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| May 2 2017 | Renew the subscription to the Lunenburg Ledger for the Historical Commission“voted: it was voted by a majority (with one abstention) to renew the subscription to the lunenburg ledger for the historical commission.” | passed by a majority with one abstention | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 4 2017 | Cullen Dwyer will send an advisory letter to the various town boards, commissions and committees expressing the Historical Commission's concerns about the sale of the town's historical buildings and possible relocation of town offices to Passios School“voted: cullen dwyer will send an advisory letter to express the concerns of the fistorical commission members about the sale of the town's historical buildings individually or collectively and the possible relocation of the town offices to the passios school to the various town boards, commissions and committees.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Feb 15 2017 | The Historical Commission will submit its advisory letter to the Board of Selectmen, the Building Reuse Committee, and all the town boards, commissions and committees directly or indirectly affected by the sale of these historic buildings and relocation of offices to the Passios School“voted: the historical commission will submit its advisory letter to the board of selectmen and the building reuse committee and to all the town boards, commissions and committees that are either directly or are indirectly affected by the sale of these historic buildings and relocation of the offices to the passios school.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Nov 9 2016 | Approve the demolition request for 37 Burrage Street“voted: the demolition request for 37 burrage street is approved.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 6 2016 | Rescind the $ 500.00 gift from the Historical Commission for restoration of the receiving tomb“voted: the specified gift of five hundred dollars ($ 500.00) from the historical commission for this restoration is rescinded.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 5 2016 | to determine that Demolition Delay Review does not apply to the property at 206 Leominster Road“voted: demolition delay review does not apply even though the property dates to 1934 or 1940 as represented on the town assessors listings.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Mar 1 2016 | Apply the Demolition Delay Plan Review to the property at 203 West Townsend Road“voted: the demolition delay plan review is applicable to the property at 203 west townsend road.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Mar 1 2016 | The Demolition Delay Plan Review is not applicable to 1026 Northfield Road“voted: since this property has no historical value or architectural style, the demolition delay plan review is not applicable.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
| Nov 19 2015 | Nominate Cullen Dwyer as a Historical Commission member for appointment to the Architectural Preservation District Commission“voted to nominate cullen dwyer as a historical commission member for appointment to the architectural preservation district commission.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 8 2015 | Continue monthly Historically Speaking articles to the Lunenburg Ledger“voted unanimously to continue monthly historically speaking articles to the lunenburg ledger.” | unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jul 27 2015 | The Demolition Delay Bylaw Section 22 is applicable for the property at 790-792 Massachusetts Avenue“it was voted the demolition delay bylaw section 22 (the six month delay provision) was applicable for this property.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jun 22 2015 | recommend to the Board of Selectmen the appointment of Amory Phelps to the Architectural Preservation District Commission“voted unanimously to recommend to the board of selectmen appointment of amory phelps, a member of the historical commission, to the architectural preservation district commission.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jun 22 2015 | provide the Historical Commission's budget of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to the Cemetery Project“voted to provide the historical commission's budget of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to the cemetery project.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Mar 19 2015 | Submit the Architectural Preservation District Bylaw as amended with the discussed changes“a motion to submit the architectural preservation district bylaw as amended with changes as discussed was passed unanimously.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Nov 4 2014 | approve the demolition delay request for 713 Rear Reservoir Road“the commission voted the demolition delay request did not quality.” | failed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 7 2014 | Approve demolition by neglect for 90 West Townsend Road“the commission voted by a majority for demolition by neglect.” | passed by majority | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 7 2014 | Vote that the 1988 mobile home at 1790 Massachusetts Avenue Lot 33 does not warrant protection under the demolition delay bylaw“the commission voted this 1988 unlivable mobile home did not warrant protection under the demolition delay bylaw.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 7 2014 | Approve Cullen Dwyer for appointment to the Historical Commission“the commission unanimously approved and recommends his appointment.” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 11 2014 | delay the demolition hearing to October 7“the commission voted to delay the demolition hearing to october 7"” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| May 6 2014 | approve the release of the Jones house“the commission approves the release of the jones house.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 8 2014 | Approve Jones House Release-Letter-Draft to forward to town manager“the commission approves the draft that becky has written to be forwarded to the town manager.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 8 2014 | Approve Cemetery Commission-Letter-Draft to forward to town manager and cemetery commission“the commission approves the draft that becky has written to be forwarded to the town manager and the cemetery commission.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Apr 8 2014 | Approve Demolition Delay Determination Form to forward to building department“completed by damon has been approved to be forward to the building department” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jun 5 2012 | to approve the matters discussed in old business“all items above were voted unanimously on 5/5/2012 as part of the june meeting” | passed unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jun 5 2012 | to approve the demolition request for 100 Sunset Lane“demolition request for i00 sunset lane requests approved” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Jan 12 2012 | approve the demolition request for 332 Massachusetts Avenue“request for demolition is approved.” | approved | the minutes | the minutes |
| Nov 1 2010 | Accept the donation from the Developers of Emerald Place to cover the cost of digitizing 34 rolls of microfilm“the commission voted unanimously to accept the donation pending approval by the town manager.” | unanimously | the minutes | the minutes |
| Oct 4 2010 | table discussion of applying for grant from MASS HISTORIC until next year“it was decided to table this till next year - not enough time to put together criteria for grant.” | passed | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 14 2010 | to approve the demolition of the property at 20 Fire Road 19“of no important historic significance. ok to demo - unanimous vote” | unanimous vote | the minutes | the minutes |
| Sep 14 2010 | to have Pat write a letter regarding the offer to pay for digitizing data for the Commission“motion made for pat to write a letter re: the offer to pay for digitzing data for commission from emerald place.” | not stated | the minutes | the minutes |
The town’s minutes are the record: a vote from them carries the minutes’ own words, checked verbatim. A vote from the recording only was written by a language model from machine captions — a motion as heard, and “not audible” a finding about the recording — and links to the second in the video. Both records are read as they arrive and joined here, whichever came first.
Budget schedule
Measured from this board’s own posted agendas over the last 4 budget cycles (July to June): the dates each subject appeared. The “expect” column is the typical first and last date across those cycles — a scheduled subject, not a decision.
| subject | expect | FY12 | FY16 | FY21 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Meeting | Jan 3 → May 7 | Jan 3 | Apr 7, Apr 28, May 11 | Sep 10, Nov 5, Dec 3, Feb 6, May 7 | — |
| warrant articles | Oct 11 | — | — | — | Oct 11 |
A cycle is named for the fiscal year it builds: FY24 is the budget being built now. Read off the agenda text with a word search, so a subject named differently on an agenda is missed and one mentioned in passing is counted.
As of 2026-10-10.