Public Buildings Preservation Task Force |
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| Mayor David B. Cohen and Board of Aldermen President established the Public Buildings Preservation Task Force in February 2002 to develop policies for maintaining the historic character of existing city owned buildings and landscapes. The members of the Task Force include the following: |
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| Co-Chair
Brian Yates |
Alderman-at-Large, Ward Five Chair, Zoning and Planning Committee | |
| Co-Chair
Michael Rourke |
Chief Administrative Officer | |
| Larry Bauer
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Newton Historical Commission, Architect | |
| Fred Guzzi
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Veteran’s Agent | |
| Lara Kritzer
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Preservation Planner | |
| David Olson
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Director Newton History Museum At the Jackson Homestead | |
| A. Nicholas
Parnell |
Public Buildings Commissioner | |
| John Rodman
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Chair Newton Historical Commission Attorney | |
| John Stewart
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Alderman-at-Large, Ward Four Vice-Chair, Finance Committee | |
Former Alderman Susan Basham was an original member of the Task Force and served as Co-Chair until her resignation from the Board of Alderman in 2003. Alderman Yates replaced her as Co-Chair and Alderman John Stewart, who was Director of Education at the John F. Library and Museum, replaced her as a Task Force member. |
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City Hall Preservation
The Task Force took an intensive look at Newton’s City Hall and War Memorial,
inside and out, and developed a list of actions needed to restore the historic
character of the building or at least preserve it. There were serious leaks
from one of the cupola down into the War Memorial that had damaged the dioramas.
The windows in the Board of Aldermen Chamber and elsewhere needed to be fixed.
The original internal lights had been removed and replaced with jarringly modern
fixtures. Vines were threatening the structural integrity of the exterior of
the building. The Landscaping Plan for the grounds developed by the Olmsted
firm in the 1930s was examined and deviations noted. The changes to the landscaping
proposed for the Millennium Park were also noted.
As a result of the Task Force’s efforts, the leak in the cupola was fixed
and small cosmetic changes were made. Larry Bauer, Nick Parnell, and Susan Basham
developed and submitted proposals to the Community Preservation Committee to
repair the historic windows, to replace the missing historic lighting fixtures
within the building, and to paint the exterior balustrade and trim. The details
of these projects are described in the CPA pages listed below. The report on
the condition of City Hall is at the link below.
City Hall Report
– “City
Hall Preservation Recommendations – Key Projects for Future Funding and
Implementation”
City Hall Restoration CPA projects – Status
of Work
Other Properties and Projects
In addition, the Task Force has been actively involved in a number of projects
which will insure the preservation of City-owned buildings throughout the City.
The Task Force supported and closely monitored the CPA applications for the
Newton Corner Branch Library and the City Burying Grounds. They have also worked
to review a proposed ordinance to preserve City-owned properties and have revised
and edited a list of City properties grouped by significance which was prepared
in 1997 by graduate students from Boston University’s Preservation Studies
Program.
Additional Links
Newton
Burial Grounds Plan for Restoration
South Parish and West Parish Burial Grounds
National
Historic Register Nominations
CPA
Burial Grounds Project
Newton
Corner Branch Library CPA Projects