POLL: Should the Spurr House Be Saved?

Photo Credit: Jennifer B. Doherty

Many town officials maintain that demolishing the historic Spurr House would provide much needed municipal parking. A committee formed to study the future of the house said it wants to “give it a chance” to avoid demolition.

At a Special Town Meeting on Oct. 19, Westborough residents will vote on two articles that involve the Spurr House, and its either potential saving or demolition.

Built in 1849, the Spurr House is now owned by the town since the Forbes family donated it in 1933. the American Legion used this home as a meeting place, but it’s been vacant since 2014.

Article 1 asks voters to approve hearing a report from the Spurr House Committee, which has been working since March to come up with recommendations for the future of the Spurr House. Article Two asks residents to vote on whether to transfer funds to have it demolished.

Town Manager Jim Malloy writes, “Municipal Building Committee has been discussing demolition of this building for several years to improve parking and flow of traffic behind the Forbes Municipal Building and provide additional parking for the library ... “ The manager’s statement indicates that the town has a need for the parking for police, library, school and other departments, and the town does “not have a real need for the building.”

Historical Preservation Consultant Jennifer Doherty writes, “Westborough officials have made it clear that they plan to demolish the Spurr House to enlarge the Forbes Building’s parking lot. Although the Spurr House is old, and has seen some unkind alterations, overall it is in good condition. It is a very large building that could provide plenty of room for town offices, private offices, or even two to three apartments....Sited on Parkman Street in the heart of Westborough’s downtown, the Spurr House is an integral part of its neighborhood. The nearby houses are similar in age (mid-1800s) and style, and create a cohesive streetscape.”

The Spurr House Committee was formed as a result of a vote at the March Westborough Annual Town Meeting with a mission to study alternatives for the ultimate disposition of the Spurr House, with recommendations brought to the Special Town Meeting on Oct. 19.

The committee met semi-monthly since April for 14 meetings, looking at a variety of suggestions and options and tried to gather as much data to support the final eight options. This included engaging with stakeholders, the Planning Committee, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Historical Commission, the police chief, Zoning Board, neighborhood representatives and the Advisory Finance Committee.

An open house and open meeting were held in September.

As its criteria, the committee examined questions concerning zoning issues, historical deed restrictions, the needs of the town, the cost to maintain, historic preservation, and the current value of the house.

Bob Petrucelli, Spurr House committee chair, said that the big question, from the beginning, was “Should the committee’s recommendation(s) be developed with a parking solution in mind – or should it be more focused on what the best use is for all options for the house?”

They explored options such as the town keeping the Spurr House and renovating it, selling the Spurr house with the caveat that the buyer needs to move it, selling the Spurr House and using the proceeds to purchase 12 Grove St. and use that as additional property, demolish the middle and rear sections to make it more marketable, demolish just the rear barn, keep the house as is and lease it to a third party such as a golf course, full demolition of the property and selling the house.

According to Petrucelli, the The Spurr House Committee recommends:

• That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell the buildings, property and land at 7 Parkman Street, known as the Spurr House for a term of 18 months starting the date the property is listed for sale
• That the Board of Selectmen establish a price to sell the buildings, property and land for its appraised value or higher given its current condition
• That the expected use of the house & property upon its sale is consistent with the zoning of the neighborhood

The commission said this is a solid compromise that gives recognition to the opinions of most stakeholders, and incorporates lessons learned from the Nathan Fisher House by “setting a definitive time limit for keeping it on the market. If no buyer after 18 months, allows the town to proceed with what options they consider best for the town.”

“The recommendation for the 18-month sale window grace period gives the house a chance,” said Petrucelli.

The Spurr House Committee also includes Phyllis Jaffee, vice chair; Dan Messervy, secretary; Marjorie Peairs; Bob Pano.