Melrose Select Board Grants 30-Day Extension on St. Mary's Church Demolition Review

MELROSE — November 21, 2019 — Melrose Select Board delays decision on historic St. Mary's Church demolition review by 30 days. The board voted unanimously Thursday to adopt Resolution No. 2019-51, extending its review of the environmental assessment worksheet submitted by the Church of St. Mary — whose 1890 building was damaged in a 2016 arson fire — until the December 12 meeting. Community Development Director Lisa Atkinson told the board that the State Historic Preservation Office had requested a Level 1 historic documentation package but had not clarified exactly what would satisfy the requirement, and that a section of the worksheet addressing cumulative potential effects had been left marked not applicable, a gap that City Attorney Scott Demick flagged as a concern. Five residents spoke during an open forum in favor of preserving the National Register-listed building, citing a structural engineer's finding that it is "easily restorable" and the availability of preservation grants. The board also swore in new police officer Elisa Angerfur, approved the Jenny Acres residential subdivision plat, and ratified a Stearns County early-voting agreement covering the 2020 presidential primary.