Historical Commission backs 18-month demolition delay, splits on partial-demolition track

SUDBURY — July 14, 2022 — Sudbury Historical Commission backs 18-month demolition delay but splits on whether homeowners face same wait. Consultant Peter, drafting the town's Historic Preservation Plan, recommended tripling the current six-month delay and proposed a faster track for partial demolitions. Member Diana Warren, citing review of roughly 150 municipal bylaws, opposed any two-tier system, while Marjorie Katz and Steven Greene warned 18 months for homeowner additions would be "too intimidating" and sink the article at Town Meeting. Chair Christopher Hagger sided with the skeptics. The commission also backed a CPC-funded historic structure report and collections assessment for the Hosmer House, with Diana Sebra calling the current volunteer model "an outdated mode of operation that harks back to the 1950s." Draft chapters go public ahead of the Aug. 2 meeting.