In its short lifespan the town’s Demolition Delay Ordinance has already had an impact on preserving the town’s historic structures. One of the most notable preservation projects under the ordinance is 433 Center Road, where stones and timbers from a historic house were repurposed and a unique gable window was preserved before it was demolished.
“433 is a perfect example of where both the property owner and the local contractor were receptive to saving historically significant parts of the structure for reuse,” said Bruce Nelson, director of research for the Historical Society of Easton. “The stones from the chimney stack were all saved and wrapped in bundles for future use. It is solely the property owner’s decision as to how, when, and where preserved items are used.”
Adopted two years ago, the ordinance states that if the town’s Historic Review Committee deems a structure historic, a 90-day waiting period goes into effect before a town building official grants an applicant a permit to demolish it. The Historical Review Committee then discusses alternatives to demolition with the property owner. There have been two applications for demolition permits since the ordinance was adopted.
“Most understand that this ordinance is really an opportunity for property owners to learn more about their buildings and possibly find alternatives to demolition,” said Elizabeth Boyce, a curator with the Historical Society of Easton.
Now an amendment to the Demolition Delay Ordinance that residents approved at a town-wide meeting on April 29 expands the responsibilities of the Historic Review Committee by revamping and expanding it into the Historic Preservation Review Committee.
The move aligns the committee with federal guidelines, setting Easton on a path to achieve Certified Local Government status with the state of Connecticut. Certified Local Governments are eligible for grants including Historic Preservation Enhancement grants.
“By participating, the town would have additional sources of preservation funds available to it, ” said Nelson. “Establishing the Historic Preservation Review Commission also allows that group to be more proactive when it comes to preservation efforts within the community.”
Old homes hold secrets and oddities. One of the interesting discoveries at 433 Center Road was in the attic where a unique fire suppression device was discovered. It consisted of a clear glass globe filled with bluish liquid, mounted in a bracket high on an attic beam. In the event of a fire, high temperature would cause the bracket to release the globe, shattering it and dispersing the fire-suppressing liquid.
“In most of these devices, the chemical was carbon tetrachloride, which can be really unhealthy and carcinogenic,” said Boyce. “So in this case we recognized what it was and could advise the owner and their contractors.”
Easton homeowners have been generally receptive and reacted positively to the preservation efforts.
“A couple have been leery of the process until it is thoroughly explained to them that we are not there to prevent them from demolishing the building,” said Nelson. “Most have already consulted with their contractors and architects and have looked at restoration as a preferred alternative to demolition. It is only when the cost of restoration greatly exceeds the cost of demolition and rebuilding that most decide to go with the latter option. The process is never meant to be confrontational.”
Looking ahead, the committee aims to identify and include unlisted historic barns in Easton’s Historic Resources Inventory. This ongoing process is essential for maintaining and improving preservation efforts.
“We have an enthusiastic team that is currently familiarizing itself with the procedures and discussing options as we go along,” said Nelson. “The goal remains preservation without sacrificing the individual property owner’s right to do what he or she sees fit with their privately owned property.”
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