21 Highland Future Use Committee: unanimous preservation goals, public forum delayed

Kevin Miller reported on the 21 Highland Future Use Committee’s final meeting June 30 and summarized committee conclusions: members unanimously recommended preserving the 21 Highland building regardless of future use, agreed on protecting site integrity (playground, sledding hill, parking and public access), and noted the building is in materially good condition according to consultant review.

Why it matters: the building’s future use and condition determine whether town resources, donor funds or private buyers would need to invest in rehabilitation; preserving the site’s public access elements could affect design options.

Details: Miller said John Perrin (building consultant) led a thorough review and that the structure had received town investments in past decades but will need further work; former committee chair Ben Smith pushed for a comprehensive review before bidding restoration. Miller said a roofer initially slated to bid left the process at the last minute; he engaged experienced preservation contractor Dennis Semperbon (Beacon Hill Restorations) to assess the structure but noted liability and access issues for roof work need administrative resolution before a site inspection can proceed.

Decision vs. discussion: the committee’s unanimous recommendations were to preserve the building and site integrity and to seek public input. However, Miller said the committee ran out of time and did not hold the public forum he had hoped for; he asked the Historical Commission to remain available for future reconstituted committee work.

Next steps: Miller will advocate for public input if the select board reconstitutes the committee and recommended that the Historical Commission have a representative on any future committee charged with final recommendations.