SWAMPSCOTT — The Historical Commission held a public hearing on the initial request to demolish the General Glover Farmhouse Thursday evening at Swampscott Elementary School, where community members could share their opinions about the future of the site.
Back in July, the Commission received notice from the Town’s Building Commissioner that the owner filed an application to demolish the farmhouse. Then, on Sept. 4, the Commission made an initial determination noting that the structure was found to be historically significant pursuant to the Town’s bylaws, based on the fact that the home was connected directly to Gen. John Glover from the Revolutionary War.
The Commission’s bylaws require that it hold a public hearing on the initial determination and the application within 45 days of filing the initial determination with the Town Clerk.
Historical Commission Chair Nancy Schultz began the hearing by welcoming attendees, walking them through the background of the site and how the site has ties to significant individuals aside from Glover, such as William Browne, Alexander William Little, and the Athanas family.
“We’ve been working for over two years on these preservation initiatives… Despite these public initiatives for preservation of community heritage, July 21 was the date that the owner filed a demolition request for only the farmhouse,” Schultz explained.
She continued, “What I think brought us all here tonight is that we want to answer the question of what is best for our community and the historical stories of our town.”
She noted that structural engineers who analyzed the site estimated that 70-75% of the original house is completely intact.
“We just think that this house has stood on the corner for 250 years, and it watched the American Revolution unfold. Let’s leave it there for another 250 years,” Schultz said.
Schultz said the current leading developer is also talking with the Historical Commission about preserving the farmhouse in its current location, but “that developer has some conditions.”
“They would like to make up for lost units in order to save the building,” Shultz said. “They would have to adjust the size of one of the buildings (planned).”
She added that the developers hope “they can make up for the units they’ve lost, and if we — within a period of 24 months — can raise $2 million to refinish (the farmhouse) by the time the new development opens, if it opens, the farmhouse would be looking nice before people (possible tenants) move in.”
Select Board member David Grishman, who came to speak as an individual, said he’s “a supporter of housing and development, but I’m also a supporter and believer in historical preservation and managing and remembering our history.”
“Even if you think the plans to build housing on Salem Street is a good idea — which I’m not sure it is — what’s being contemplated currently doesn’t comply with our zoning in Swampscott or Marblehead,” he said, noting that there’s no certainty that the proposed development can or will happen.
He continued, “Sometimes a delay is good. Sometimes delay is good to allow better ideas to formulate, as it can and should in this instance… What better way to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday than by preserving our town and national history.”
Attendee Neil Rossman said, “I’m in favor of preserving it, no question about it — but what will happen at the end of the nine months if you obtain the delay?”
Schultz said, “We need to move very quickly and have a good plan to preserve it,” but she added that there wouldn’t be protection once the delay ends. We need to raise money very quickly to show we can refinish the farmhouse, and we need to have a plan for how to use it.”
Meghan Perlow talked about how her son worked in class to generate awareness of the farmhouse and shared it’s historical significance with classmates.
“When it comes to this home, I have to plead to the town, Select Board, and the developers to save this structure for the future generations,” Perlow said.
Duncan Maitland said, “One thing (that) has not been brought up yet is the fact that Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill that allows building permits to be extended two years.”
He continued, “One of the building permits we’re concerned with is this property — and what that means is that we have a permit ready to go, and that permit shows no farmhouse… But the two year window that Gov. Healey gave all building permits in Massachusetts extends beyond that time (the nine month delay).”
Patricia Buchanan said that aspect of raising $2 million “is almost like, ‘You get the $2 million, and then we’ll talk.’” She raised the idea of forming a task force to help raise the funds.
Schultz added that the Commission had voted unanimously and is very close to establishing a donation account through the Town.
“We still have some details to work out,” she said. “It’s been viewed by the Town’s accounting firm and attorneys, but we’ll be announcing it soon… We’ll leave no stone unturned,” she said.
Lee Silverman, who traveled from Maine to attend the meeting, noted that the country recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy.
“From my family, that milestone is more than just history; it’s legacy. I’m proud to say that my four children are among the seventh generation (of) direct descendents of Gen. John Glover,” Silverman said. “My former wife and I came to understand the remarkable role Gen. Glover played in securing our nation’s freedom, before the birth of our third child, and named him Robert Augustus Glover in honor of General Glover.”
He continued, “It seems both absurd and profoundly disappointing that we’re even entertaining demolishing Gen. Glover’s final homestead.”
“Demolishing it would not only erase a critical link to our past but also dishonor the sacrifices made for our future… I traveled from Maine today to make that belief clear because some legacies are too important to forget, and some homes are too sacred to lose,” he said.
Historical Commission member Mary Shapiro said, “What I think we should do is think about how we can gather all this passion for more meetings, where we have a plan and a vision… I think that’s our next step, along with saying that we should have the demolition delay.”
