House on Cherry Street gets one-year demolition delay

The Historical Commission voted to put a one-year demolition delay in place at 79 Cherry St.

Diane Taylor, owner of the house, came before the commission on Monday with Wes Buscemi, her legal representation. Because the property might be subject to a one-year demolition delay due to its historic nature, Taylor preemptively asked the commission to consider not applying the delay. She is selling the house and thinks having demolition as an option would make it more attractive to buyers. Taylor does not reside in the house, but owns it and rents it out. 

Buscemi explained that due to Taylor’s failing health, she wants to sell the house and use the proceeds to pay for medical bills. He asserted that due to the amount of updating and work needed, developers may want to buy and demolish the property. He said it was unfair for the commission to deny Taylor that selling option.

Commission member and secretary Marie Daly gave a presentation to the commission outlining how the land was originally owned by the Waltham Watch Company. It was then sold to William Sawtelle, who built a house on the property. After that, the property changed hands several times until it was bought by the late Lawrence D. Maffiola, Jr. and his now-widowed wife Taylor. Commission Chair Mort Isaacson provided additional information by reading reports of surrounding houses that had been inspected by the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System and determined to be historically significant.

In a roll call vote, Daly and Isaacson voted to put the one-year demolition delay in place alongside commissioners Kathleen Duframont and Maria Russo. Commissioners Charles Egrious and Sean Wilson voted no. Commissioner Rebecca Migdal was not present.

Due to the majority of votes being in favor of the motion, the one-year demolition delay was put in place.