Frequently Asked Questions

Historic Districts Commission (HDC) is a regulatory body whose role is to consider and pass upon the appropriateness of the exterior architectural features of buildings and structures constructed or enlarged, extended, or structurally altered within an historical district, in so far as such architectural features are subject to public view from a public street or way, and to pass on the permissibility of the razing or demolishing of any building or structure within an historical district.

Historical Commission (HC) is a Town Board responsible for community-wide historic preservation planning and advisors to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on such matters.

The primary function will be:
- Act as the authority responsible for regulatory design review within the 7 designated local historic districts.
- Administer waivers to the Demolition Delay Bylaw.
- Advise the Board of Selectmen (BOS) , Planning Board, the Public Works Department (DPW) and other Town agencies in matters involving historic sites and buildings .
- Maintain Falmouth’s List of Significant Buildings.
- Make recommendations with respect to any place determined by the Commission to be of historical or archaeological value to the Massachusetts Historical Commission that such place be certified as an historical or archaeological landmark or nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
- Propose as it may deem appropriate, the establishment of additional historic districts and changes to historic districts in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40C.
- Review and recommend implementation of the Town’s Historic Preservation Plan created in October 2015.
- Work on behalf of the Town with the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic New England, and other agencies, public and private, concerned with historic sites and buildings.
- Work to educate property owners in the historic districts and expand protective measures for historic resources. Provide technical and planning advice for owners of historic buildings.

The November 2015 Town Meeting approved the merging of the two commissions, with the new board to be named the Historical Commission. The vote of Town Meeting was then sent to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, which approved the merger. The final step is the ballot question at the Annual Election May 17, 2016 to amend the town charter to incorporate this merger.

Yes. There are thirty-two towns throughout Massachusetts that have merged both Commissions. Towns on Cape Cod with merged commissions are Barnstable, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, and Provincetown.

After the May vote, the merger goes into effect immediately. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) will appoint new members to the new Historical Commission from interested residents who have sent a letter to the BOS, been interviewed and then been voted on by the BOS. It is anticipated new Commission will become active at the first week of June.

Just as before, the public can attend the newly combined Commission's meetings where they can comment on:
- Agenda topics related to Historic Preservation planning and the protection of Falmouth's historic resources.
- Applications related to renovations/developments in Historic Districts.

The Planning Department will still administer all applications related to Historical Commission matters.