Above: Four Southborough teens were recognized for their role in preserving the Burnett House. (image cropped from SAM video)
Last night, the Board of Selectmen and public were updated on the preservation of the Burnett House. It was also an opportunity to thank some of those involved.
Historical Commission Chair Joseph Hubley informed the board that he believes the estate owner wants to get started on work early this summer.
The commission is working with Jon Delli Priscoli. He recently walked the site with members and will be submitting plans. They will work closely together to develop a timeline.
Hubley pledged that before any work is done, the commission will share what to expect on their website and the Town’s website.
Selectman Paul Cimino took the opportunity to honor four Southborough teens: Bridget Brady, Jen Fox, Maggie Shoemaker, and Kaley Travins.
Cimino said that the process for saving the house was long and involved. But this was a group selectmen wanted to especially thank:
Every journey has a first step. And we on the board wanted to recognize it in this case, because it was special.
Cimino was referring to the girls’ initial protest to planned demolition of the historic stone house. Their picketing of the what seemed to be an inevitable tear down of a “white elephant” captured media attention in the summer of 2014. The spotlight and generated community interest started the ball rolling in preserving the estate.
In recognition of their efforts, the girls were presented with framed copies of the owner’s demolition permit, stamped void.
They weren’t the only ones to receive thanks. Earlier, Hubly took a moment to thank someone he forgot to thank at Town Meeting. The Historic Commission Chair said that Town Counsel Aldo Cipriano put in great efforts on the preservation restriction and Southborough is lucky to have him.
