Fire Department Headquarters under threat

[Lisa]

Hello,

Just wanted to send a quick email about something that came to our attention very last minute. The city has (shockingly) asked for a Demolition Permit for the Fire Dept HQ at 1164 Centre St. The public hearing before the Newton Historic Commission, as required, is tonight, 7:00 PM ET at city hall. Please attend if you can.

The Ward 6 aldermen do not support this and know that there is opposition to demolition, but the city has unexpectedly asked for a demo permit which starts the clock running on the 12 month delay after which they can take it down if they want to.

If you are interested in this and would like to send an email asking that this petition be withdrawn please send to any or all of the following:

Mayor:
Setti Warren <settidav...@gmail.com>

Ward 6 Aldermen: Victoria Danberg <vdan...@gmail.com>; Dick Blazar <rbbl...@yahoo.com>; Greg Schwartz <greg.sc...@gmail.com>

Other city workers who would want to know how you feel: Josh Morse <jmo...@newtonma.gov>; Maureen Lemieux <mlem...@newtonma.gov>;; Aaron Goldman <agol...@newtonma.gov>; Chief Bruce Proia <bpr...@newtonma.gov>; Ald. Jay Ciccone <allanci...@comcast.net>; Len Gentile <lgen...@newtonma.gov>; Candace Havens <cha...@newtonma.gov>

So bottom line is either the city will withdraw the permit request or else we will need go ahead and get it landmarked, and for that we will need the support of 2/3 of the aldermen.

More information about tonight's meeting can be found here:
http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/58215

[JJSterman]

I was unable to attend this hearing due to a conflict in my schedule. I did sent an email with my views on this to Newton's Aldermen as well as city administrators.
After the Historic Commission meeting last night, I received an email from Ron Mauri after the meeting stating this:

It was voted preferably preserved. This means no demo or substantial alteration can be done during the next 12 months. After that the City can do whatever it wants. There is a working group that recommends and then the mayor and aldermen need to agree by providing funding.

I also received a call from Aaron Goldman in the Mayor's office asking indicating as follows... For future reference, Mayor Setti Warren would like to be emailed at swa...@newtonma.gov. Similarly I am aware that our Aldermen may be emailed at their city email addresses - first initial,last name @newtonma.gov, - i.e. vdan...@newtonma.gov. This goes to their personal email inbox so no worries if you don't have their personal email address.
Thanks,
Janet