The Select Board Monday may have moved closer to realizing the construction of a fire station at 139 The Great Road: The board filled the two vacant “alternate” seats on the Historic District Commission with applicants who advocate balancing historic preservation with the demands of modernity.
At least one of those alternates likely will help adjudicate a proposal to demolish the existing building at 139 The Great Road later this year. That’s because one of the commissioners, William Moonan, is an abutter and has recused himself from the process.
“The HDC is going to be under scrutiny over the next year,” said Select Board Chair Emily Mitchell after the interviews. “It’s going to be really important to have people in place skilled at weighing complex issues and building consensus. There are going to be a lot of opinions and a lot of emotions.”
Town meeting last month approved appropriations to acquire the property and design the fire station. State law prohibits the HDC from considering a demolition permit request until a replacement is identified.
Only one of the four current members of the HDC, Karl Winkler, has publicly expressed support for working with the town on planning a fire station with an appropriate design. The others have emphasized that the raison d’etre of the HDC as preservation of the character of the district.
Monday the board appointed Jennifer McClain to a three-year term as an alternate. (Technically, it’s a “micro-term” through June 30, followed by a full term to June 30, 2025, Town Manager Sarah Stanton explained on Tuesday.) McClain, a structural engineer who has worked in preservation and restoration, lives in the historic district and has interacted with the commission as a petitioner.
Appointed to an alternate term expiring on June 30, 2023 was Ali Hon-Anderson, a former tour guide in Lexington’s Buckman Tavern. ‘I grew up in Lexington so I was pretty much indoctrinated at an early age,” she cracked. Hon-Anderson said she thought the alternate position would allow her to acclimate with “baby steps.”
A third applicant was David Guerino, a senior project manager with Suffolk Construction. Guerino, who said he grew up in historic Bennington, VT, stressed that he has experience in construction that incorporates preservation aspects.
Select Board member Shawn Hanegan, without mentioning the fire station, asked the candidates how they would weigh “public sentiment” with “some deeply held principles that you have.” He added, “There’s no right or wrong answer.”
“Everything having to do with historical things has to be taken in context,” McCain declared. “The needs of residents do evolve over time.” There are guidelines, she acknowledged, “but you have to understand what the purpose, goals, and context are.”
The historic district streetscape includes wires and transformers, and commissioners need to ask “how we live in this space and how do we preserve what is important.”
Hon-Anderson, a software engineer, commented on a phrase she read in the Massachusetts Historical Commission training guide for local commissions: “The role of the commission is not to block progress or changes or conditions but to keep the historical nature in context of the environment that exists.”
Guerino said it is the commission’s responsibility “to go by the guidelines and the bylaws and set aside how we feel personally. What are we trying to preserve, and is it in the best interest of the town?” He said, “I came to this town because of the historic feel.”
Board member Bopha Malone asked the applicants how they balance “cooperation with others” and “independent thinking.”
McClain said it is important to be prepared and not develop preconceived conclusions. That is especially important with the fire station project, she said, adding, “You have to be willing to ask questions.”
“Independent thinking is being confident in your own opinion,” Hon-Anderson said. She noted that she viewed the HDC meeting with the Select Board to discuss the fire station plan. There were “members who are very strong in their feelings,” and “if taken the wrong way that can lead to some sort of contentious nature. I think part of the success of a committee is how people function together.”
Guerino said he would take some time to understand the way the board works. “Different views can be helpful,” he said. Guerino noted that when negotiating with homeowners, “sometimes it’s just not financially sound to make people do certain things.” McClain said, “You want to make the process clear and easy for homeowners.”
Select Board member Edward Pierce asked for their observations about the HDC’s process. “It may feel frustrating to be on the applicant’s side sometimes,” McClain replied. “The bigger picture is a collaborative and not a confrontational process.” Hon-Anderson said the details about the process on the town website can be intimidating, That’s especially important, she said, because many residents obtain information from unofficial sources.
Select Board member Margot Fleischman said she supported appointing McClain because of her professional expertise in design management, and her experience as a petitioner for a certificate of appropriateness. “She is very invested in the community,” she said. Hanegan added that he found her responses “nuanced.”
There was almost no discussion before the board voted to appoint Hon-Anderson. Malone pointed out that the applicant had done some additional pre-interview research. “I appreciate her fresh perspective,” she said. Pierce commented, “We can’t go wrong with any of the candidates.”
Before the votes, Mitchell pointed out, “We’ve been talking about diversity. This is a board that skews particularly male right now.” The other member is Karen Kalil-Brown.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
Loading ...
