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The Town of Bolton should adopt a by-law designed to protect historic and archaeological sites from destruction through land-alteration activities. The Town of Bolton has a wealth of historic and prehistoric archaeological sites within its boundaries. Many of the sites are undisturbed. Large-scale development is still a threat in the town and the surrounding area with much open land still in existence, especially in the south of town. The planned construction by a large industrial com The Town of Bolton should adopt a by-law designed to protect historic and
archaeological sites from destruction through land-alteration activities. The Town of Bolton has a wealth of historic and prehistoric archaeological sites within its boundaries. Many of the sites are undisturbed. Large-scale development is still a threat in the town and the surrounding area with much open land still in existence, especially in the south of town. The planned construction by a large industrial company that plans to build a complex in a nearby town, staffed by nearly 5,000 employees will have major residential impacts on Bolton. Small housing developments and even single-family homes, Title 5 septic facility upgrades, road widening, and similar construction projects can impact archaeological sites.
It is recommended that the town establish a system of review designed to protect important archaeological sites and areas of high site potential. The system should begin with a review authority through which proponents of construction apply for permits. The logical groups in town include the Bolton Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Department of Public Works and Building Inspector. Using site sensitivity maps provided with this document, the regulatory organization can determine if a proposed construction site falls within a zone of high to moderate site potential. If it does, the project should be given to the Bolton Historical Commission for review. If the Historical Commission, using the site potential outlined in the survey units described in the report, soils maps and historic maps
determines that a site may be impacted and could be significant, the advice of the Massachusetts Historical Commission should be requested. If through this process a site is determined to be significant, the proponent should be encouraged to modify project plans to avoid the site, and place it under a Site Preservation Restriction. The Site Preservation Restriction is a legal document in which the proponent agrees not to damage the site. Compliance review is the responsibility of the BHC. Should development be proposed in the future, the Commission would require an archaeological survey. Compliance of Site Preservation Restrictions would be the duty of the Commission. If the option of a Site Preservation Restriction is not acceptable or feasible for the proponent, the survey requirement would apply.
pany that plans to build a complex in a nearby town, staffed by nearly 5,000 employees will have major residential impacts on Bolton. Small housing developments and even single-family homes, Title 5 septic facility upgrades, road widening, and similar construction projects can impact archaeological sites.
It is recommended that the town establish a system of review designed to protect important archaeological sites and areas of high site potential. The system should begin with a review authority through which proponents of construction apply for permits. The logical groups in town include the Bolton Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Department of Public Works and Building Inspector. Using site sensitivity maps provided with this document, the regulatory organization can determine if a proposed construction site falls within a zone of high to moderate site potential. If it does, the project should be given to the Bolton Historical Commission for review. If the Historical Commission, using the site potential outlined in the survey units described in the report, soils maps and historic maps determines that a site
may be impacted and could be significant, the advice of the Massachusetts Historical Commission should be requested. If through this process a site is determined to be significant, the proponent should be encouraged to modify project plans to avoid the site, and place it under a Site Preservation Restriction. The Site Preservation Restriction is a legal document in which the proponent agrees not to damage the site. Compliance review is the responsibility of the BHC. Should development be proposed in the future, the Commission would require an archaeological survey. Compliance of Site Preservation Restrictions would be the duty of the Commission. If the option of a Site Preservation Restriction is not acceptable or feasible for the proponent, the survey requirement would apply.
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