Sweetser House to move again to 90 Franklin St.
Published on December 13th, 2000
STONEHAM ,MA - Stoneham’s Sweetser House is America’s only Greek Revival mobile home — next stop: the corner of Franklin Street and Dale Court.
“I think this is going to work out,” said owner Richard Johnson, a developer from Arlington who specializes in historical home renovation.
The Sweetser House was built in 1841 on the lot eventually numbered 434 Main St. across from the Public Library. The house didn’t budge until December of 1999 when it was lifted off its foundation and carted to a spot between the apartment buildings of 50 and 60 Franklin Street. By next summer the home will sit at 90 Franklin St., if all goes as planned. But so far almost nothing has gone as planned in the effort to save the classic home from demolition.
“I can’t imagine anyone opposing this move,” Johnson said.
Johnson bought the house and land at 90 Franklin St. last week. He plans to demolish the old house and pour a new foundation in January (weather permitting), which he hopes will be the final resting place for a renovated Sweetser House. The l-shaped addition at the rear of the Sweetser will not make the move. This section will be demolished within the month, Johnson said.
Admiral Home Movers of Manchester, N.H. will move the house up Franklin Street. The last move cost more than $50,000, and the total cost of renovating the home will be at least $500,000 Johnson said.
“This is not for profit; it’s his hobby,” said Johnson’s attorney Steven Cicatelli.
“It’s a real passion,”Johnson added.
Johnson accepted the home as a gift from Joe Cunningham of Cunningham Construction of Stoneham in the summer of 1999. Cunningham was renovating the old Maynard Moore Shoe Factory for the Bloomberg family owners, and the Sweetser House was to become a parking lot. Johnson, in exchange for a free house, agreed to pay to move the house off the site. He planned to renovate the home and rent out the space as three apartments.
Johnson moved the home to property he owns at 50-60 Franklin Street, but he was unable to secure the necessary variances to keep the house on that property. Neighbors convinced the Board of
Appeals in February of 2000 that the 10,000-square foot area between two 18-unit apartment buildings was too small to stick a three-unit house.
“It just doesn’t fit,” Board of Appeals Chairman Chuck DeCoste said at the time, after hearing comments from the Carlinos of Fuller Street and the Lecceses of Pine Street among others.
Once again demolition loomed. Johnson’s permit to store the house at 50-60 Franklin St. expired Oct. 4, 2000. But the town has allowed Johnson some leeway to coordinate the move to 90 Franklin St.
All along the Historical Commission has applauded Johnson’s efforts to save the home.
“Saving a home is a unique opportunity,” said Historical Commission spokeswoman Bee Russo. “Usually we just find out a home was torn down.”
“I am going to go to the Parks Commission to see if the home can be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places,” Johnson said.
The new lot requires no variances or special permits. The lot is zoned for two-family housing, and Johnson is going to rent the Sweetser as a two-family house.
Selectman Bob Sweeney said that he thinks people will like the end result but hopes Johnson will talk with neighbors if any concerns arise.
Legally Johnson doesn’t have to make any concessions or give notice to anyone. He owns the land and is replacing one old house with another newly renovated one. But he has contacted the neighbors. Johnson’s employees dropped information at neighbors’ homes explaining his plans.
Dale Court area neighbors have yet to voice concerns publicly.
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