Norry council to create historic district review board

Feb. 7—NORTHUMBERLAND — Northumberland Borough Council at Tuesday night's meeting agreed to look into creating a historic architectural review board to reap the benefits of having a National Historic District designation.

Addressing the board on the subject was resident Harry D. Lewis, vice president of the Friends of the Joseph Priestley House.

Speaking as a self-described amateur history student, Lewis explained that in 1988, Northumberland Borough Council member Margaret Weirick obtained the registration of the Northumberland Historic District (NHD) through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which then filed the application with the National Park Service.

This means the historic district is "nationally significant and a place of national importance," Lewis said.

Lewis asked the council, at a minimum, to vote to refer to the Rules committee the possible enactment of an ordinance creating a review board, and define the scope of its authority.

"Inform the community of the existence of the NHD," Lewis said, "so that residents of the historic district can take advantage of all federal and state tax credits, private and public grants, and other opportunities this designation affords them."

There will be some structural changes at the Municipal Building, with construction beginning Friday — when the borough offices will be closed for the day. A door will be built to connect the two offices. This will be done to provide extra security for the staff.

Tax collector Joanna Rees will have a workspace in one of the offices. The borough building will be open on Monday.