Are we going to watch the Clark Tavern just rot away?

I'm sure many people have read Pete Peterson's blog regarding the recent developments in the "Clark Tavern saga".  The abutters (a select few) have filed an appeal, therefore holding up the owners (Michelle & John Linnert) from going forward with their proposed plans to renovate, recreate, and vastly improve the look of the current Clark Tavern on Route 109!  This appeal could last for a year or longer.  Sadly, the current condition of the Clark Tavern is rather dim, and if the renovations are put off for a year or more, the Tavern will decay even more.  Is this really what the abutters want to see happen?

Some of the abutters have shown much interest in the historical significance of the Clark Tavern.  With that said, it is odd that they would want to see this very historical structure just rot away.  Some of the abutters have been against the Linnerts proposal from the start.  Other abutters support this project and embrace the idea of making this dilapidated and decaying building into a beautiful site.

Many months of ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) meetings have taken place and many concessions were made by the current owners of the building.  When the final meeting was held, over 70 "conditions" from the opposing abutters were reviewed and discussed and decided on....and the final decision of the ZBA was an approval.  The Planning Board also approved this plan.

Sadly, after all these approvals, the few abutters who are not in favor of this plan, have now filed an appeal.  This appeal will stall any further action and it will require both the abutters to spend many dollars on legal fees, and force the owners to pay legal costs as well.  What does this appeal process really accomplish? 

I appeal to the abutters who are IN FAVOR of this project to step forward and state your thoughts......and I appeal to the abutters who are NOT in favor to reconsider.  If you are willing to see this property go to ruin, you have not won this battle......and the residents of the Town of Medfield will lose this historical structure to decay, and all of us will lose a piece of history.

The future of the Clark Tavern is at stake!