The Historical Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to designate the house at 155 Winter Street as historically significant, pending a future determination at a public hearing.

Known as the Gibson House, the structure dates back to “sometime prior to 1831,” according to chair Michael Roughan.

He added that it was included in the 1989 Hopkinton Historical Property Survey conducted by Gretchen Schuler and Anne Forbes.

Member Scott Knous questioned whether any work had been performed on the home that would take away from its historic character. Roughan replied that a second story was added to part of the structure in the 1970s.

“There’s only a portion of it that has the original 1½-story architecture,” added the chair. “But it’s discernable.”

Roughan said he was contacted by Victor Visoni in the town’s Inspectional Services Department about potential interest in demolishing this home. While no building permit has been filed, the Mary McManus Trust at 117 Winter Street requested that the town start a historical review process.

Roughan suggested that a public hearing be held. Also, he said he would coordinate a site walk or property tour for members.

The chair described the architecture as “Yankee handsome,” which evoked laughs.

Roughan suggested that the commission vote to designate the home as historically significant, which it did unanimously.

A public hearing cannot be scheduled until a demolition permit is requested, Roughan stressed. If the hearing concludes that it is not historically significant, demolition work can proceed.

Center School demolition cost shaved by $1.1M

Several previously approved projects have shown significant progress. The largest one is the demolition work for the Center School reuse project,

Member Eric Sonnett told the commission that Annual Town Meeting had allocated $2.4 million for the demolition of the two rear additions to the historic Center School building at 11 Ash Street. Hazardous materials will be removed from the site, including from the main building’s interior.

“After a lot of scrutiny and significant work by the Permanent Building Committee and the liaisons to it, the bids came in at $1.3 million,” he said, noting that he and Ken Weismantel, the Community Preservation Committee chair, were the liaisons.

Saving $1.1 million is “a big deal,” Sonnet said.

Demolition work is expected to start “within the next 30 days,” he added.

Slave plaque moves closer to installation

Member Anne Mattina, who also chairs the Hopkinton Historical Society, explained that the sign honoring Black people enslaved in Hopkinton will cost $2,300. Although the commission previously approved $2,400, the pole for its installation and shipping cost $561. Mattina paid out of pocket for this, so the committee voted unanimously to reimburse her.

Mattina added that it likely will be installed in early October on the Town Common next to the monument honoring the early white settlers.

Roughan noted that this information should be brought to the attention of the Historic District Commission. Mattina said Linda Connelly, who researched the project for more than a decade, planned to do so.

Also regarding signage, the commission also voted unanimously to approve an expenditure of “not more than $110” for a sign honoring historical figure John Howe. This is in addition to a previous allocation of $1,926 that did not cover the entire cost.

CPC-funded historic projects move forward

Sonnett noted that other CPC-funded projects are showing signs of progress.

He praised the new flooring at the Hopkinton Public Library’s Ellsworth conference room, calling it “spectacular.”

Sonnett added that the refurbishment of the Mount Auburn Cemetery building is complete. The roof pointing work will be done at a later date.

Renovations to the Hopkinton Historical Society building are “on the brink of completion,” according to Sonnet.

He added: “They’re under budget, and everybody’s happy.”

Review of McFarland Sanger documents sought

Roughan updated the members on the status of the McFarland Sanger House at 148 Lumber Street. He said town counsel is in the process of preparing documents for its lease or sale.

The chair also said he met with Town Manager Elaine Lazarus about the project. He requested that the house be “boarded up” until the commission could either fund its restoration or get a disposition on the property. Lazarus, he said, “thought that was a little harsh.”

The one sticking point about the property, he noted, is that it does not have access to town water and sewer connections.

Roughan said that he reviewed several months of old commission meeting minutes. They revealed that the developer of the Deerfield Estates complex promised two decades ago to provide water and sewer access to the McFarland Sanger House.

Knous asked if town counsel could review these documents to see if Deerfield Estates or its developer could be held responsible for providing the connection, as the old meeting minutes inferred. It would make the property easier to lease or sell. Members voted unanimously in favor of this idea.