Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful Links
Q. Can I get my house listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
A. Possibly, the Massachusetts Secretary of State has published a two-page brochure titled “What You Need to Know about Listing on the National Register” to get started.
Once you’ve read that, contact the SHC for assistance in completing the application.
Q. Where can I find information on the Sandwich Archives?
A. Visit the Sandwich Public Library’s Archives page.
Q. How are Community Preservation Act funds used and who decides how they are used?
A. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law designed to help communities plan ahead for sustainable growth. The CPA allows towns to levy a community-wide property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent for the purpose of creating a local Community Preservation Fund that can qualify for state matching funds. The Fund must be used to acquire and protect open space, preserve historic buildings and landscapes, and create and maintain affordable housing.
At the March 21, 2005 Special Town Meeting, the Town overwhelming voted to replace the existing Cape Cod Open Space Land Acquisition Program with the Community Preservation Act. In order to implement this Act, the Town established a Community Preservation Committee that will make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting for the use of CPA funds.
The Sandwich Community Preservation Committee is comprised of four members at large appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member of, and as designated by, the Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Planning Board, Housing Authority, and Recreation Committee with initial staggered terms, and three years terms thereafter.
Q. How does a historic project qualify for funding from the Community Preservation Act?
A. Projects must meet a series of criteria to qualify for CPA funding. See this CPA Historic Flowchart for a brief view of project qualifications. Then visit communitypreservation.org for more details.
Q. Where can I find information on Sandwich’s many enjoyable museums?
A. Visit the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce.
Q. Where can I find the Sandwich Historic Preservation Plan of 2002?
A. Visit this link for the entire document in .pdf format.
Q. How was the Sandwich Historical Commission established?
A. The SHC is the local arm of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, established in 1963 * “to identify, evaluate, and protect important historical and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth.” *(MGL Ch. 9 Sections 27-32 enabling legislation)
The powers of the Sandwich Historical Commission are established by Massachusetts Title VII; Chapter 40; Section 8D Historical Commission; establishment; powers and duties
Q. Where can I go for more history of Sandwich links?
A. Don Bayley’s blog has an excellent list of SOURCES.
Q. I have more questions, who can I contact?
A. Email your questions to the chairman, tblake[at]sandwichhistory.org.
