Swampscott housing project back in planning board’s hands

SWAMPSCOTT – The Fisherman’s Watch development project on Greenwood Avenue has gone back to the Planning Board now that the project is in demolition delay, according to Historical Commission Chair Susan Post Munafo.Munafo said the commission has not yet sat down with project architect Tom Groom to discuss what can be preserved on the property. For now, Munafo and the commission will make recommendations to the Planning Board during the “multi-process” the project is engaged in.”After the public hearing the Planning Board asked for input in terms of what we should push for,” Munafo said.With the Greenwood Avenue project currently out of their hands, the commission focused on upcoming events that they are in the process of planning during their Tuesday night meeting at Town Hall. Unfortunately, with only three members in attendance, the commission was unable to make any voting decisions.Munafo reported that three houses have been chosen for this year’s Preservation Awards, an annual awards ceremony held by the commission for the last eight years to celebrate homeowners who have preserved historic Swampscott homes during their renovations.The awards ceremony will take place Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. before the Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Munafo said the ceremony will be kept short and probably last 10 minutes to a half hour. The commission planned to bring refreshments and to say a blurb about why each house was chosen.The number is less than previous years, according to Munafo, who said usually six are chosen. She said she will announce which houses are this year’s winners later this week.The commission also organized plans for Trails and Sails, an event sponsored by the Essex National Heritage Commission in Salem. During the weekend of Sept. 23, the Historic Commission will give tours of the Town Hall from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tourists can then take a walking tour of the Olmsted Historic District.Kait Taylor may be reached at [email protected].