Groton committee votes to invite town manager to clarify vision for JS Smith House

The JS Smith House Committee voted 3–1 on June 25 to invite Groton’s town manager to its next meeting to outline the town’s vision for the historic JS Smith House and clarify the committee’s oversight role.

Longtime members told the committee the group went largely dormant after the town stopped allowing a living curator model several years ago, a change the members said followed a town attorney letter and a town manager decision. Committee member Richard Dixon said the step effectively “pulled the rug out from underneath us,” and urged the manager to provide a written explanation before meeting in person so the committee could prepare.

Committee members said the house’s deed requires it to be open for public viewing and that prior curators organized reenactments, tours and regular programs. New and returning volunteers argued the building is an underused community asset; Dana Parfett, a new committee member, said the house is “a gold mine that we have for everyone to be able to utilize and see.”

The motion that passed (three in favor, one opposed) asks the town manager to meet with the committee at its next session to discuss his plans for the property and the committee’s role in oversight and programming. Opponents of immediately inviting the manager — principally Richard Dixon — said they preferred receiving the town attorney’s 2017 letter and a written statement of the manager’s intent in advance so members could focus questions and evaluate legal implications.

Library and 250‑committee representatives told the committee the town manager, through the library director, has expressed support for reopening and programming at the house. One representative said the library has already used the building for some programs and reported that an open‑house event earlier in June drew “a little over 200 people,” receiving positive attention at the most recent town council meeting.

Committee members also raised a finance question: the meeting record shows $1,220 was charged from a donations/trust fund in fiscal year 2023 for tree trimming. Members said tree trimming normally falls under general town maintenance and requested that the town manager or Lisa Hilton from the town manager’s office explain how that expenditure was authorized and whether the trust fund balance will be restored.

The group tentatively set its next meeting for July 27; members said the town manager’s attendance will be the priority item, and that any written follow‑up from the manager should be provided after that conversation if requested. The committee welcomed new members and representatives of the town library and 250 Committee and adjourned after setting the calendar.

The committee’s next procedural step is to invite the town manager and gather the requested finance documentation and the 2017 town attorney letter for review.