BOS sets opening date for Revere Heritage town green

The Board of Selectmen, working with the Paul Revere Heritage Commission, has set Saturday, June 13, as the date for a formal opening ceremony of the PRHS town green. The rain date would be Sunday, June 14.

A view of the Revere Heritage Site from Revere Street. (Jay Turner photo)

The opening date will coincide with the opening of the new Northern Spy Restaurant, which will be located on the first floor of the historic Revere copper rolling mill, and the PRHS museum preview room, which will be on the second floor of the mill building.

The outdoor event would include music, face painting, historical exhibits, food trucks, craft tables, and more events to be planned.

Melissa Mayer and Victor Del Vecchio of the Paul Revere Heritage Commission told selectmen Tuesday night that they hoped it would be an annual event with Mayer describing it as similar to a block party. Mayer said they will need lots of public input and help from the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

Selectman Mark Porter said he sees traffic control as the chief obstacle, noting the more successful the event, the more vehicles coming to the area. He suggested the possible use of shuttle buses to help alleviate traffic in and around the site.

In a related matter, selectmen are reviewing a formal conservation restriction between selectmen and the Canton Historical Society that would prohibit future playgrounds or active sports on the town green. George Comeau from the Canton Historical Society and Lisa Lopez, former chairman of the Community Preservation Committee,  defended the restriction and said the intent when the town acquired the land was to preserve it as a town green for passive recreation. The covenant, if formally adopted, would require joint approval by both boards in order to make any changes.

In other news from Tuesday’s meeting:

* Selectmen heard a presentation by resident Christine Smith regarding her town meeting article proposing to change the name of the Board of Selectmen to Select Board and the titles of board and committee heads from chairman and vice chairman to chair and vice chair. Smith said the change to gender-neutral board and leadership names has gained support from many neighboring communities and the Mass. Selectmen’s Association. Smith said the name change is similar to using the term police officer rather than policeman or letter carrier as opposed to mailman. Selectmen will make its recommendation when it considers all town meeting articles in March …

See this week’s Citizen for more highlights from the February 18 selectmen’s meeting. Click here to order your subscription today.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 21 2020. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.