Demolition of 803 Washington Authorized

The Historical Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm. One of the primary items on the agenda was a hearing to consider a request from the owner of 803 Washington Street,  to be allowed to demolish the existing home. 

Paata Macharashvili purchased the property in April of 2022. It is currently partially gutted, according to a Commission member who went on site to  inspect it. The property owner was surprised to find that the property, which dates to around 1900, fell under the town's demolition delay bylaw, since its foundation is of much more recent vintage.  

Lacking any evidence of special historical significance or any viable alternative, the Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the demolition.

The balance of the meeting included a report from the town's new (as of late 2022) archivist, Rowan Lowell, who had not previously been able to schedule a meeting with the Commission.

Also discussed and approved was two special silent film showings -- "Silent Saturdays" -- at either end of the February school vacation. The films will be classic comedies starring Harold Lloyd.