Annual Town Meeting is the legislative branch of town government. As a legislature, we are challenged to vote up or down measures that will have an enduring impact on the town. The decisions that demand accurate predictions of the town’s future needs are the toughest ones to get right. I am hoping we get one right on Saturday, by voting no on adding the Bromfield House to the Common Historic District.
I love this town and have worked hard to save and restore its gems, including the old library, Hildreth House, and Town Hall. What do I have against the Bromfield House? Absolutely nothing— it has served the interests of the schools well over the years. However, including the Bromfield House within the historic district severely limits what can be done with the building and the land. Contiguous to Hildreth Elementary School and close to other town activities, the property may later be needed in ways we cannot predict today, and passage of the proposed article would tie our hands when the time comes.
Ironically, perhaps, I think this approach (of voting no on 7) would be embraced by Margaret Blanchard Bromfield herself, a staunch proponent of progress who sought only to protect her ideals rather than dictate their conditions. As her 1871 will reads, “And, whether said school shall consist of boys and girls, or of the latter only, I also leave to the judgment of said trustees …(and) “Feeling the paramount importance for educating our emancipated fellow beings in the Southern States, I give and bequeath to my executor the sum of Two Thousand dollars; to be paid by him in such manner as he, in his discretions, shall deem most likely to promote the interests of education among them.”
Both the Select Board (4-1) and School Committee (5-0) voted not to support Article 7. Please come this Saturday, Oct.1 at noon to the Bromfield gym and vote no on Article 7, protecting our ability to flex with the demands of future needs.
Stu Sklar
Scott Road
