Historical Commission hears plans to demolish 1734 house

WESTFIELD — Superintendent of Buildings Carissa Lissee spoke to the Historical Commission on Aug. 25 about the city's plans to demolish a historic house on 12 West Silver Street, adjacent to Westfield Middle School.

The house, built in 1734, is structurally unsafe, according to Lissee. "After going into the building, I wouldn't let anyone else in."

Lissee said the house was formerly used by the School Department for a counseling center, and by the city during renovations of City Hall, but has been vacant ever since. During her inspection, she recorded the interior of the structure, which she said has significant damage and is not worth saving.

Among the damage she listed is termite damage, significant severe deflection in the floors, damage to the holding beams and major shims in the basement. She said there is evidence of fire in the attic, and severely compromised roofing.

Lissee said the house was completely modernized. "The only thing that might be original are the window frames themselves," she said.

Historical Commission Chair Kathleen Palmer asked if the brick was original. Lissee said it looks like old flagstone that had brick added to it when it was modernized. "From a building commissioner and safety standpoint, it's a liability to the city," she said, adding, "I'm sure it's loaded with asbestos in the basement, which has wrapped pipes, and in the floors."

Asked what the plans are for demolition, Lissee said as soon as the Historical Commission gives the city the go-ahead. Plans are for the property to be added to the parking lot of the school.

The procedure in the town's ordinances is for any property of historical significance to get a Certificate of Review from the Historical Commission before demolition. Recently, the Commission exercised that right in getting historical artifacts out of the Atwater mansion on Union St. before demolition.

Commissioner Samuel MacMunn asked if anyone had come forward with an interest in the house, to which Lissee responded no.

MacMunn said if the commission cannot gain entry, metal detecting would be of interest to him, and donating anything found, such as old buttons or coins, to the Westfield Athenaeum. He said the window frames on the interior and old post and beams and nails in the basement might also be of interest to the Athenaeum.

"You would have to get permission from the city, "We're getting into selective demolition, which increases costs for the city." Lissee said any requests should be emailed to Lissee and Director of Purchasing Tammy Tefft.

The Commission voted not to give the go ahead for demolition, stating in a letter to the city, "In response to an application for Certificate of Historic Review as required by city ordinance 1352, the Westfield Historical Commission voted to pursue the 180-day delay for the demolition of a house on 12 West Silver St., owned by the City of Westfield, to allow the Commission time to conduct its review."

In other business, Commissioner Nicholas Aieta said he and Palmer went to the Atwater House with the Chief of Police before it was demolished, and looked through the container holding a variety of pieces from the marble fireplaces as well as the wooden mantels that were saved.

He said as expected, the marble did not come out intact, but it is restorable. Currently, the police are working with the architect on what pieces from the mansion that they may want to use in the new police station, including some of the marble.

Palmer said a letter had gone out to the mayor requesting that whatever is not used go to the Westfield Athenaeum collection. She said her sense is the department is taking good care of the pieces that were salvaged.

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