SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board offered measured support this week for ongoing efforts to preserve the historic Glover House, backing continued fundraising while stopping short of a full endorsement of the project at its current place.
Members of the Historical Commission appeared before the board Wednesday night to present an updated business plan and make their case for a unified show of support, which they said would be critical to securing major donations.
“We are not asking the town for additional money for this project,” Vice Chair Jonathan Leamon told the board. “We are asking for your unanimous support so that we can continue with our fundraising efforts.”
Their proposal is tied to a larger redevelopment plan by the National Development Group on the Glover property, which would preserve the Revolutionary War-era home as part of a multi-unit residential project. National Development has offered a ground lease to the town for that area of the property for a period of 99 years at an annual price of $1.
The “Save the Glover” group has been raising funds to cover both restoration costs and the first five years of operating expenses. The group recently received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS, a designation they say will open the door to grant funding, but members noted that clear support from the Select Board would also help attract major individual donors.
Historical Commission Chair Nancy Shultz described the project as “an opportunity of a lifetime” for the town, pointing to the home’s connection to Revolutionary War hero General John Glover, and its potential to serve as both a cultural and educational asset.
Commission members also brought up potential revenue-generating uses for the property, saying it could be partially rented as a retail space or community meeting area. While board members acknowledged that those ideas could help offset costs, they said they would like to see a more concrete plan before the town takes on any long-term responsibility.
The group has already raised more than $500,000 towards their efforts, including a $250,000 commitment from National Development, and hopes to reach $1 million by the end of June, although their actual goal to cover the cost of initial renovations is based on a prediction.
The actual cost of restoring the building is a key piece of the puzzle, and one that remains unclear. The current owner has not granted the Historical Commission or the Save the Glover group access to the property, and they have not been able to bring in contractors for necessary site visits to conduct a detailed assessment of the exterior.
That uncertainty is compounded by a tight timeline. The exterior restoration would need to be completed alongside National Development’s construction schedule, giving the group an estimated 18 to 24 months to complete the work, even as key cost figures remain unknown.
That timeline also gave some Select Board members pause, because it intersects with National Development’s request for a height variance from the Planning Board. To maintain the number of units National Development is building and keep the Glover House, they’ve increased the height of one of their buildings to five stories, 10 feet above the zoning guidelines for the area. Select Board members pointed out the risks associated with giving their full support ahead of that decision, if the commission is unable to raise the funds they need to move the project forward.
“If they grant the variance in advance … and the funds don’t come up … the house could be torn down, and they could still get the variance,” said Select Board Chair Katie Phelan. “That’s the gamble.”
Much of the discussion centered on what, exactly, a vote of support would mean for the town — particularly given the project’s financial uncertainties and that connection to special zoning alleviations.
“One level of support is that we’re like, ‘rah-rah, this is a really nice idea — go get money,” Vice Chair Doug Thompson said, framing the discussion towards a lower threshold of endorsement that would help the commission in their fundraising efforts without yet committing the town to any long-term obligations.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the proposed ground lease, which would ultimately make the town the long-term steward of the property.
“I’m still a little bit concerned about the business plan,” Phelan said, noting that there is uncertainty for the remaining 95 years of the lease with the commission proposing to endow the operating costs of the property for the first five years. “That’s a real worry for me, given our current financial situation.”
That concern was compounded by comments made earlier in the meeting about the town’s management of other properties, including the Hawthorne-by-the-Sea site.
“We were just spoken to at public comment about how terrible we are at being landlords,” Phelan said. “So I don’t know how we are going to change our stripes for Glover.”
While other members of the board shared similar reservations about the town’s commitment to a 99-year lease, there was broad acknowledgement of the work already done by volunteers, as well as the historical and community value of preserving the structure.
“I think we should continue to support these efforts and energies to see the Glover project through,” Select Board member David Grishman said. “I do believe that a final vote of the board today will result in additional donations and additional press.”
Ultimately, the board agreed on a conditional path forward, offering support for continued fundraising, encouraging further progress in the coming months, and asking the group to return with a more detailed business plan.
With the Planning Board expected to take up key aspects of the related development proposal in the coming months, the timeline adds another layer of urgency to an effort that remains, for now, dependent on both private fundraising and public confidence.
