[MassHistPres] article from Boston Globe on the Joseph Draper House, Dover

Thu Jun 26 11:12:00 EDT 2014

Ms. Molyneaux:
If it were only so simple. 

The ultimate choice 
between profit and ethics is the essential test here, as it is in so 
much of contemporary American society. Is he proceeding? If so, you 
might question his real ethical commitment to the town. 
Within the constraints of our system, we ALL must make individual choices. 

I
 am EX Chair of the Orleans Historical Commission for a reason. Finally,
 I could no longer abide the unbridled destructive nature of the Cape 
Cod Real Estate economy - so I left. 

I left: historic captains' 
houses purchased by wealthy New Yorkers to destroy, and replace with 
fairy tale houses designed and built by a local architect/builder. 

I
 left: an economy dominated by Real Estate brokers, almost all of whom 
are lacking any ethical commitment to preservation. And all touting the 
notion of "Old Cape Cod," even as they sell it for dismantling, piece by
 piece. 

I left: an historic early 19th century Cape Cod cottage 
owned by Comcast that was deteriorating so badly we passed a Demolition 
by Neglect ordinance. This action prompted Comcast to apply for a 
demolition permit, and the house is now gone.

I left: A tract of land
 purchased by Habitat for Humanity (with Community Development Funds) 
that contained an historic house. As member of the CPC representing the 
Historical Commission I lobbied for, and finally got, a 40B subdivision 
allowing Habitat to keep the historic house and develop the 6 houses 
they sought. This historic house is now GONE, to be replaced by another 
Habitat dwelling following a half-hearted attempt by Habitat to find a 
builder willing to restore and re-use the house.  Note that I have 
spoken with a willing builder who applied, but was put off by 
persons in Habitat, who were unwilling to take him seriously - despite his record of successful restoration and re-use projects - and so gave up. 

Keep this in mind, please: each and every 
aspect of the ongoing destruction of a place is traceable to individual 
decisions involving ethics and money. 

James Hadley AIA
Ex Chair, Orleans Historical Commission

Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] article from Boston Globe on the Joseph Draper House, Dover
From: meauxmo1 at comcast.net
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 09:52:36 -0400
CC: jameswhadley at hotmail.com; MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
To: rbattlesfoy at comcast.net

Rosemary and James,
No, it’s not quite like that. If there were ever a builder who could have brought this waffling owner over to the side of reason, it would have been this local builder, who grew up in the town, is well-liked and is known for building appropriate, tastefully-sized homes, as he is doing for them (behind the Draper House). The builder has had numerous conversations with the Olivas about the value - and practicality - of allowing someone to take the Draper house, and has been met with increasing ire and resistance. Now apparently the owners have told him he won’t even be allowed to salvage parts! The owner told me three weeks ago his price for the house is $125,000. 
All proposals since the owners (Anthony and Annette Oliva) purchased the property in 2003 have been rejected. These include proposals to swap land that the Draper House sits on for adjacent land the land trust owns. 6 Farm Street does not have enough frontage to be divisible into two lots. In the early years, the owners did proposed a four house subdivision and allowed developers to approach the Planning Board about a 40B on the property. Neither of these gained traction. Now, their three children are half grown up, and it seems the reality that it was time to build a proper house. They own the property adjacent to 6 Farm Street, and have lived in an older duplex on that property since 2003. 
The Dover Historical Commission imposed its one-year demolition delay in about 2004, and photographed the house during that time. 
Sara MolyneauxDover

On Jun 25, 2014, at 10:16 PM, Rosemary <rbattlesfoy at comcast.net> wrote:Yes, maybe Sara could tell us here when that information is available who  are the contractor & architect of the replacement houses (for there are sure so be multiples with seven acres to cash in on).At a minimum, the Draper house should be documented if it isn't already and a salvage crew be brought in. That way, at least some part of the house will live on. I'm sure every method has been tried, but has Olivera (the owner) been asked if he'd consider sub-dividing the property legally? He'd sell the house and a small parcel for it, and he'd still be able to develop the other acreage. This depends on zoning, of course, and his willingness to forgo a percentage of the millions he'll make in the redevelopment. 
Rosemary B. Foy

On Jun 25, 2014, at 9:53 AM, james hadley <jameswhadley at hotmail.com> wrote:

Although controversial, might I suggest a boycott of the builder who undertakes the demolition and replacement. There ARE  negative consequences to our actions as players in a capitalist society.
At the very least, the names of the architect for any replacement house and the builder of that house should be made available widely, so that people can make their own judgement.
James Hadley AIA
former chair, Orleans Historical Commission

From: meauxmo1 at comcast.net
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:09:34 -0400
To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] article from Boston Globe on the Joseph Draper House,	Dover

As a progress report to a story we all know all too well, here is an article printed in the Boston Globe West last Sunday, concerning the plight of the Joseph Draper House (c.1724) in Dover. 
Sara MolyneauxFriends of the Joseph Draper House
SaveDoversOldestHouse on Facebook

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/06/21/dover-preservationists-want-save-joseph-draper-house-from-demolition/Qsm0alZ5COOpSsIr162fCN/story.html
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