Sudbury Historical Commission unanimously declares Sherman's Bridge historically significant

SUDBURY — November 18, 2025 — Sudbury Historical Commission unanimously declares Sherman's Bridge historically significant. The commission, led by Chair Christopher Hagger, voted Tuesday to formally find that the wooden bridge and its surrounding landscape — continuously occupied at the same Sudbury River crossing since 1743 — meet the bylaw's historical-significance threshold, and recommended any rebuild be "consistent with its historical significance." Vice-Chair Michael Wallace warned that the proposed glulam reconstruction "would substantially change the experience of being there," while Member William S. Andreas pressed for clarification on wood species and called for a bridge specialist. Town Planner Adam Burney had ruled the project outside the demolition delay bylaw because no building permit is required. Wayland resident Doug Stotz noted Sudbury's 15-year capital plan carries $1 million in fiscal 2027 debt for the rehabilitation. The DPW director is expected with revised drawings Dec. 9. The commission separately approved $900 in CPC funds to restore the broken Maynard Wheeler slate gravestone.