Private citizen comes to aid of Sweetser House
Published on July 14th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - The Sweetser House may find a home after all.
Attorney Stephen Ciccatelli told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night that his client, a developer and experienced home renovator, Richard Johnson, wants to move the Greek Revival house from Joe Cunningham's Main Street work site to property behind 50 and 60 Franklin St.
Selectmen gave their blessing, and now Ciccatelli will have to come before the selectmen and Planning Board with petitions for various permits and waivers to allow for the move and use of the home as apartments.
Johnson wants to renovate the home, as he has done to several historic homes in Arlington, and turn the house into three apartment units.
The building will become private property, but the house will be moved and renovated with no cost to the town. Johnson estimates the job will cost him between $200,000 and $300,000.
Bee Russo, President of the Historical Commission, was in favor of Johnson's proposal.
"The ultimate goal was to save the house," she said.
Selectmen Anthony Kennedy asked about the Historical Commission's early hopes to use the home as a cultural center.
Russo said she still wants a cultural center, but she was willing to let Johnson have the building for the building's sake.
Selectmen Chairman Al Conti said he did not want to abandon the cultural center but felt the Sweetser Home was not an appropriate building for such a use. He also noted the issue of time — contractor Joe Cunning-ham has been patiently waiting to see what the town wishes to do with the house.
Cunningham told the board it has to be moved by September.
So the Historical Commission and selectmen agreed that Johnson is the man to save the Sweetser House.
But, Conti reminded Ciccatelli that he would have to go through an objective petition process to obtain necessary approvals.
Ciccatelli agreed: "The home will not be put on a foundation until all the proper approvals are granted."
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