Owner to consult slate specialists after commissioners urge preservation at 1 Westminster Street

Owner Brian Major reported urgent roof deterioration at 1 Westminster Street and asked the commission for guidance on the garage roof. Commissioners and local architectural historians urged the owner to consult contractors who specialize in slate repair, noting that slate roofs can often be repaired and that a hybrid approach (saving visible slopes with slate and using asphalt on less-visible slopes) may be feasible.

Public commenters and commissioners recommended the applicant obtain a slate roofer estimate and return with scenarios that considered reusing undamaged slate and minimizing landfill. The applicant agreed and the commission continued the item to Aug. 20 with a constructive deadline of Sept. 4 for materials submission.