Billerica panel interviews firm for historic property survey
Billerica historical panel interviews two-person firm for 185-property survey. Subcommittee members Michelle DeParisis and Keith LeVon questioned Loja Preservation co-owners Katie Smithberger and Cassandra on staffing, scheduling and scope-creep safeguards for a townwide historic property survey.
Historic Commission Pt. 4 · Meeting of August 26, 2026
Billerica historical panel interviews two-person firm for 185-property survey. Subcommittee members Michelle DeParisis and Keith LeVon questioned Loja Preservation co-owners Katie Smithberger and Cassandra on staffing, scheduling and scope-creep safeguards for a townwide historic property survey. The firm, founded in January 2025 and based outside Massachusetts, proposed a schedule running from a September contract signing through a March 2027 field-work trip to a mid-September 2027 final report.
"So, it will be just Cassandra and I working on this project," Smithberger said, noting the firm has reviewed "more than 100" Massachusetts Historical Commission inventory forms through a separate Lee, Massachusetts, project. The subcommittee said it plans to decide on a consultant by September 1 and will recommend a firm to the full commission at a meeting Monday, August 31.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 1,754 words
Source: the Historic Commission Pt. 4 meeting of August 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Billerica meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Billerica who follows town government? Share Townbrief Billerica: they can sign up free.