The Thayer Homestead Development Committee T Fall Town Meeting November 14, 2011

The Thayer Homestead

Development Committee

T

The Thayer Homestead Development Committee

Fall Town MeetingNovember 14, 2011



T The Thayer Homestead: Historical Significance The mills sites and other

industry/properties were owned by the family.

The mill, house, and Choate Park are connected.

The site is favorably viewed for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.



T What has been done with the property to date? A Historic Structures Report was prepared and

presented to the BOS (May2007).

Newport Collaborative Architects and Custom Copper LLC were contracted to perform the Phase 1 stabilization work on the house and barn.

The yard was cleared of trash, stumps and seeded for grass.

This project was completed in early 2010.

An informational kiosk was placed on the property as a Eagle Scout Project by Trevor Baker.



T In summer 2010 the BOS created the THDC to evaluate best use of the property. On October 25, 2010 the THDC recommended to

the BOS that:

– “…it is in the best interests of the town to proceed with a renovation

of the Thayer property that would allow greater use of the buildings

and open space by citizens of the town. This would entail conducting

a preliminary design and feasibility study to arrive at a plan and cost

estimate.”

– “…the BOS support a warrant article for the release of Community

Preservation Funds to retain professional design services relating to

Thayer property concepts. Such services would include, but not be

limited to, exploring the uses for existing and future Thayer facilities

and site, and estimating the renovation costs relating thereto.”

– Fall Town Meeting authorized spending $30,000 to hire an

architectural firm to work with the THDC. Then THDC secured

$14,000 in matching funds from the MA Historical Commission.



TParticipant Members

Dan Hooper, Chair Citizen-at-large Mark Wilcox, Vice Chair Historical

Society Mark Cerel Community

Preservation John Foresto BOS Marcia Kramarz Affordable

Housing Robert Pomponio Historical

Commission



T The design and feasibility study had the following goals:

1.Preserve the property’s historic character.

2.Preserve the scenic vistas to and from Choate Park.

3.Preserve the open space aspect of the yard.

4.Design for compatibility with existing buildings and functionality for community use.

5.Design to create a self-sustainable model for continued upkeep and expenses.



T Goal 1: Preserve the property’s historic character.



T Goal 2: Preserve the scenic vistas to and from Choate Park.



T Goal 3: Preserve the open space aspects of the yard.



TGoal 4: Design for compatibility with existing buildings and functionality for community use.

Community Room



T Oak St/Rte 109 Intersection

Route 109



T Goal 5: Design to create a self-sustainable model for continued upkeep and expenses. The THDC met with representatives of

comparable venues. Sufficient revenue can be generated to

offset operating expenses if the site is used as a banquet facility to host events both indoors and outside on the lawn.

A caretaker apartment is recommended for both site management and security.

Preliminary cost estimate: $2.0M - $2.3M



TVirtual Tour

Tour the site



T Recommendation for Fall Town Meeting Warrant

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money ($150,000) from the Community Preservation Fund Account for the purpose of retaining the services of both a schematic design firm and professional project oversight for the Thayer Development Concept prepared by Davis Square and Associates to the Town-owned Thayer property at 2B Oak Street and authorize the Board of Selectmen, in consultation with the Community Preservation Committee, to enter into contract with professionals to perform said work, or take any other action relative thereto.

Documents

The Thayer Homestead Development Committee T Fall Town Meeting November 14, 2011