Peabody’s Sutton house move is delayed again

PEABODY – Sunday’s wet and rainy forecast has caused the date of the Sutton-Pierson House move to be pushed back once again.Chairman of the Peabody Historical Society Bill Power said Thursday night that Municipal Light Plant workers were concerned that the weather would interfere with their task. Prior to the move, all utility lines would have to be temporarily disconnected, and doing so in the rain could prove to be dangerous.A new date has been set for the following weekend, Sunday, April 5. Crews will start bright and early at 4 a.m. and continue into the evening, said Power.The historic 1847 Sutton-Pierson House on Aborn Street, built by businessman, politician and banker General William Sutton, was scheduled for demolition back in December. Developer Mario Scire planned to tear down the old home and put three new ones in its place, but Power would have nothing of it. He immediately contacted the city’s building inspector and requested a cease-and-desist order. Power was determined to save that little piece of history for the city and he certainly did.After speaking with Scire, he agreed to donate the home to the Historical Commission, so long as they take on the task of moving and relocating it.City Councilors voted two weeks ago to approve the transfer of $90,000 from Community Preservation Funds to assist in the move, which is expected to cost about $131,500, said Power. All remaining costs would be paid for by the Society.