MARION — Buildings, roads or even entire neighborhoods in Marion could become part of a historic district following a vote to approve a seven-person Historic District Study Committee at the Nov. 1 meeting of the Marion Select Board. 

According to Meg Steinberg, Chair of the Marion Historic Commission, the study committee would explore the idea of establishing a historic district in the town. 

No members of the Study Committee have been named, but they will go before the Select Board for approval before they are chosen.

Historic Commission Member Will Tifft said the study committee is “literally designed to survey, educate, discuss, have open meetings and find out what would or would not be acceptable to the town.”

“It’s not forgone what that recommendation is,” he added.

According to Steinberg, Marion Master Plans in 1965, 1974, 1989 and  2017 all recommended that the town create a Historic District Study Committee. However, they “never got off the ground,” she said.

Tifft said that he “can’t say for sure yet” what areas of Marion could be a part of a potential historic district until the study committee has conducted surveys, had public meetings and collected more information, but that central Marion Village is a likely starting point. 

According to Massachusetts General Law 40C, a historic commission would have a hand in regulating external modifications to buildings that fall within the historic district. 

Next steps include holding a public information session to educate Marion residents about historic districts, said Steinberg. This will be followed by public meetings and surveys.  

Steinberg expects the Historic District Study Commission to have a recommendation for the town by next fall. 

The establishment of a Historic District and Historic Commission would be subject to a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting. 

“I think this is a good concept,” said Select Board Member Norman Hills. “Let’s get started and figure out where we are and where we’re going.”