Politics & Government

Attleboro Historical Commission Begs Committee for More Time

The Historical Commission has asked the city's ordinance committee to extend the 45-day demolition delay, currently on the books, to one year.

There is no question about it, Marian Wrightington is a fighter. Wrightington, chairwoman of the Attleboro Historical Commission, is on a mission to save the Tappan House, a 27-room Victorian on Park Street in Attleboro that is at risk of being raised by its owners, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, to make room for expansion. 

Mayor Kevin Dumas said he will know the fate of the Tappan "by the end of the week."

While the decision to demolish, move or disassemble the more than century-old home is in the hands of the hospital, Wrightington wants to be sure the commission has enough time to delay future demolitions in the city. 

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On Tuesday night, she asked the Committee on Ordinances, Elections and Legislative Matters to consider changing its 45-day demolition delay to one year. 

A usually quiet City Councilor Kim Allard agreed with Wrightington, saying that 45 days does not provide enough time for the commission to react when a home, with architectural historic value, is facing demolition.

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"I was here when we did this and I do think 45 days is not enough," Allard said. "I would agree that we made a compromise and it worked well and I do think we have to increase it."

Councilor Duff White said extending the delay would not be fair to the property owners of the 600 historical homes in Attleboro who would be held up from making changes to the exterior of his or her own home. The 45-day delay should be enough, according to White.

"You stated it has been working," Wrightington told the council. "I get the feeling that 'uh oh' they are starting to come now and I’m panicking thinking we get a case like the Tappan House and we are going to need longer than 45 days.

"We have this prime example before us," she added. "The 45 days was up at Christmas time and we are into March now."

The issue before the committee remains in discussion.


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