[MassHistPres] Parsing the meaning/intent of a preservation agreement

[Mike Potaski]

Hi Garrett:

I haven't looked at the Google view. The report has been distributed to the appropriate town officials. There is now a plywood "skirt" around the lower part of the building with blue tape indicating rotted vertical plank structural members; the sill is mostly rotted away/eaten by carpenter ants; the southwest corner post is floating in air and the west wall is bowing out; some floor joists are also floating on air so the floor is "spongy". SSV estimates $500K to $600K to stabilize the building.

Mike

________________________________
From: Garrett Laws <copperandslate at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 4:45 PM
To: Mike Potaski <mikepotaski at hotmail.com>
Cc: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Parsing the meaning/intent of a preservation agreement

Michael,

It might help to share the report (or better yet a summary) as the Google Street View image of the building gives it the appearance of being in very good shape, walls aren't collapsing, the foundation doesn't appear to be deteriorated, the ridge and chimney appear straight etc etc. Please correct me if there are things on the back of the building that tell a different story. The cost of doing repairs should be less than replacing the entire building and truly making it match the existing appearance.

Many Thanks,
Garrett Laws

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On Wed, Nov 29, 2023 at 4:21 PM Mike Potaski via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:
In 2020 the town of Uxbridge received a grant to conduct an archaeological and architectural survey of the characteristics of the Cornet John Farnum House (which is under the custody and care of the Historic Commission). In exchange, the town accepted a preservation agreement pledging to preserve the characteristics which contribute to the architectural, archaeological, and historical integrity of the structure.

The study identified serious structural deficits in the building that threaten its stability and portend its eventual collapse.

The first attempt to secure funding at town meeting for the building's restoration failed, in part owing to a lack of support from the advisory Capital Planning Committee. Committee members felt that substituting modern construction techniques would be more cost effective than replicating the original structural model. Essentially, substituting a replica for a restored building.

The Historic Commission has worked with the architects and engineers to come up with plans for a minimum amount of work to restore the building's structural integrity. Those plans do not completely resolve the Capital Planning Committee's prior objections. The Commission is now engaging with the Capital Planning Committee to gain support for that work so that a request may be made at the spring town meeting for funding. The Capital Planning Committee has been provided a copy of the preservation agreement.

Has anyone experienced similar difficulties and how were they resolved?

Michael R. Potaski
Uxbridge Historic Commission


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