[HISTORY: Derived from Chapter 22, of the prior Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-27-2015 ATM, Art. 51]
There is hereby established, under the provisions of the Historic Districts Act, MGL C. 40C, as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1971, a Northborough Historic District Commission with all the powers and duties of an historic district commission as set forth by said statute. In accordance with MGL C. 40 s14, the Historic District Commission shall have the powers and duties of an historical commission as provided in Section 8D of MGL C. 40.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, including one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Northborough Historical Society, one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Northborough Historical Commission, one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the chapter of the American Institute of Architects covering Northborough, and one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Board of Realtors covering Northborough. The remaining members shall include, where possible, at least one resident of or owner of property in each Historic District administered by the Commission.
[Amended 4-27-2015 ATM, Art. 51]
When the Commission is first established, two members shall be appointed for a term of one year, two members shall be appointed for a term of two years and three members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Successors shall be appointed in like manner as the original appointment for terms of three years.
The Board of Selectmen may appoint not more than seven alternate members to the Commission. Alternate members need not be nominees of organizations entitled to make nominations.
[Amended 4-28-2014 ATM, Art. 35]
There is hereby established under the provisions of the Historic Districts Act, MGL C. 40C, as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1971, an Historic District to be known as the "Meeting House Common District." Said district is described on the map entitled "Proposed Meeting House Common Historic District" on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
There is hereby established under the provisions of the Historic Districts Act, MGL C. 40C, as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1971, an Historic District to be known as the "Peter Whitney Parsonage Historic District." Said district is described on the map entitled "Peter Whitney Parsonage Historic District" on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
The Northborough Historic District Commission shall have all the powers and duties of historic district commissions as provided by the Historic Districts Act. MGL C. 40C, as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1971.
A. 
The authority of the Commission shall not extend to the review of the following categories of buildings or structures or exterior architectural features in the Historic Districts, and the buildings or structures or exterior architectural features so excluded may be constructed or altered within the Historic Districts without review by the Commission:
(1) 
Temporary structures or signs, subject, however, to the following conditions:
(a) 
Such temporary structures or signs shall not remain for a period in excess of 30 days without removal for a period of not less than 30 days.
(b) 
All illumination upon said structures or signs shall be indirect and nonflashing.
(2) 
Terraces, walks, driveways, sidewalks and similar structures, or any one or more of them, provided that such structure is substantially at grade level.
(3) 
One antenna per building, storm doors and windows, screens, window air conditioners, lighting fixtures and similar appurtenances.
(4) 
The color of paint.
(5) 
The color of material used on roofs.
(6) 
Signs of not more than one square foot in area in connection with the use of a residence for a customary home occupation or for professional purposes, provided that only one such sign is displayed in connection with each residence and, if illuminated, only indirectly; and one sign in connection with the nonresidential use of each building or structure, which is not more than 12 square feet in area, consisting of letters painted on wood without symbol or trademark and, if illuminated, only indirectly.
(7) 
The reconstruction, substantially similar in exterior design, of a building, structure or exterior architectural feature damaged or destroyed by fire, storm or other disaster, provided that such reconstruction is begun within one year thereafter and carried forward with due diligence.
B. 
The Commission may determine from time to time, after public hearing, that certain categories of exterior architectural features, colors, structures or signs, including, without limitation, any of those enumerated under Subsection A, may be constructed or altered without review by the Commission without causing substantial derogation from the intent and purpose of this chapter.
In case any section, subsection or part of this chapter shall be for any reason declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court of last resort, every other section, subsection or part shall continue in full effect.