Historical Commission Announces Nominees for Preservation Awards

Swampscott Historical Commission members are considering five local buildings and their owners for recognition with preservation awards.

Preservation awards are given to property owners for their efforts to restore or repair historic properties in town.

The nominating list for 2011 Preservation Awards includes one town-owned property, one former town property and three private residences.

The list includes a private residence at 259 Humphrey Street, a private residence at 106 Elmwood Road, the former Phillips Beach Fire Station at 2 Phillips Avenue, Andrews Cemetery located at Swampscott Cemetery on Essex Street and a private residence that was formerly known as the Hotel Bellevue on Humphrey Street.

Nominated properties will be considered for a full vote at the Commission’s next meeting, after members have had a chance to contact all of the property owners and complete their reviews of the properties.

“In some cases, the owners don’t even know yet that we are considering their properties, so we want to be careful that we don’t impose on them at this point,” explained Commission member Angela Ippolito. “There have been times when people have asked us not to recognize their home, and we try to respect their privacy."

 Commission  members also discussed holding a preservation awards ceremony in September, as most people will likely have returned from summer vacations and it might be easier to coordinate with the Board of Selectmen for the presentations.