Tabor Academy’s new Head of School, Anthony “Tony” Jaccaci, starts on Thursday, July 1, and one of the first pieces of community correspondence on his desk will be a letter from Marion Historical Commission Chair Meg Steinberg about the Percy Browne House.
Weighing in on the decaying icon of shingle-style architecture that was targeted for demolition a few years back before nationally known architects persuaded the prep school to hold off will be a well prepared, careful exercise.
What it means in the long term is anyone’s guess, as the building’s future has yet to be determined.
The landmark was on the Historical Commission’s agenda when it met on June 24 via Zoom, a format its members hope to leave behind pending availability of the Music Hall later this summer. Before any next action is discussed, the commission will wait on Jaccaci.
Meanwhile, further publicity will be sought through print media and other entities around the capital.
In relation to long-term strategies regarding historic landmarks around Marion, the commission is exploring the development of a demolition bylaw for the town.
The topic is in its early stages of fact finding, and Steinberg told the commission that Judy Rosbe sent her the Wareham Demolition Delay Ordinance that was approved by voters in 2009 and drafted after a state model. That ordinance necessitates a six-month waiting period if a town committee deems the property to be of historical significance.
Steinberg also pointed out that the Town of Fairhaven has a demolition delay ordinance and suggested requesting Fairhaven Director of Planning & Economic Development Paul Foley appear before the commission to explain how it has been working in Fairhaven. “We’re not anywhere near ready to do that,” said Steinberg.
Member Will Tifft agreed but said the local commission will have to come up with a proposal, an education program, and a place for people to express objections. “A real plan,” he said, will take time to establish, “But it’s not too early to [start].”
The commission discussed updates on other historic landmarks being considered for renovation.
The Pitcher house at 113 Front Street, also known as the Old Parsonage, that was built in 1813 by Captain John Pitcher, the brother of Elizabeth Pitcher Taber, is looking at a redesign.
At 17 Hermitage Road off Route 6 and Oakdale Road sits a house described in the June 24 meeting as “beat up” but “with historic integrity.” Its owner would like a meeting to show the commission restoration plans.
In her Grant Applications Update, Steinberg summarized the status of 2020 and 2021 MHC and Community Preservation Committee programs.
Regarding MHC 2021, a contract between the state and the town is in the works, and a request for quotes is in the process for a late July distribution on the rest of the village area, along with Water Street, the Nye area, and Ladder Street. Steinberg anticipates awarding a contract by mid-September.
The CPC 2021 grant for Old Landing and Burr Brothers, Depot Area, County Road, and Tremont Campground is on hold until the 2021 MHC grant is awarded.
Under Current Grants status, the MHC’s 2020 program is awaiting reports and forms that were due in late May, including the Marion village survey. Steinberg said the MHC can get an extension from the state if needed.
Funding allocations are as follows: The MHC 2021 grant receives $15,000 from the state and $15,000 in matching funds from the CPC 2020 award; the CPC 2021 grant is $30,000 from CPC 2020 award (not a matching grant); the MHC 2020 grant is $15,000 from the state and $15,000 in matching funds from the Sippican Historical Society; the CPC 2020 grant is $25,000, $10,000 of which was used for a consultant for the Upper Point Road study, and the other $15,000 in matching funds for the 2021 MHC grant.
The CPC 2020 invoice, report, and forms were received on June 21 for review, including the study conducted of upper Point Road and Giffords Corner. The forms and historical report were forwarded to members.
MHC member Bryan McSweeny said, “I think [the 32-page report] will be well received by the Portuguese community…. I learned a lot about this town reading this report. I was impressed with it.” McSweeny noted the new part of the report in which the Azores, Madeiras, and all the islands are detailed, including their proximities to Africa and Portugal. “It’s pretty well defined. It even has a map in there to show where everybody came from.”
Tifft said he would like to see new Sippican Historical Society member Rick DaSilva, a senior history teacher at Tabor Academy and longtime Marion resident, get involved in programming. “We’re very excited to have Rick involved in the board as a liaison to the [Portuguese] community,” he said.
In other business, Tifft noted that the First Congregational Church of Marion membership is “severely reduced these days,” and that there have been preliminary conversations about how the Sippican Historical Society, of which Tifft is a member, may be able to help. Tifft said that the chapel and the church itself face no sense of immediate concern but are potentially at risk.
The next meeting of the Marion Historical Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 22, at 4:30 pm. The MHC is hoping to hold the meeting at the Music Hall.
Marion Historical Commission
By Mick Colageo