Historical Commission votes to ask Select Board to pull Louisa's Wall sale

WESTON -- May 12, 2021, Weston Historical Commission unanimously asks Select Board to pull Louisa's Wall sale from Saturday Town Meeting. Meeting less than 48 hours before the warrant, members voted to request a pass-over on an article authorizing transfer of the dry-laid stone wall at the former Case Estates to abutter Jim Mannix under a historic preservation restriction. The Planning Board had voted 5-0 the night before to make the same ask. Co-Chair Steve Wagner said the unrepaired town-side of the wall, in poor condition since 2006, was his "biggest red flag." Planning Board member Leslie Glynn called the structure a tribute to Marion Case and "women's history," estimating replacement cost near $500,000 and proposing the Vermont-based Stone Trust produce a conditions report. Resident Alicia Primer said the draft restriction was lifted from outdated language: "It's too rushed. It needs to be pulled." Select Board member Michael Harrity apologized for not consulting the commission earlier.