The Southborough Historical Commission on Oct. 1 unanimously determined that an accessory building described in the application as a pool house at 2 Chestnut Hill Road is historically and/or architecturally significant, triggering the town’s demolition‑delay process and a public hearing to be held within 45 business days.
The commission’s chair, Kevin Miller, told members the application originally bundled a pool and the cottage but the applicant had since separated the two items so the pool — which Miller said “has no historic significance” — could be removed immediately if other building‑department requirements are satisfied. Miller noted the cottage appears in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) and the Chestnut Hill Farm area report, and that MACRIS lists the outbuilding as constructed around 1920. “This is actually the seventh business day of the 10 business days that we have under the bylaw to have to make this initial determination,” Miller said while reviewing the submission and the MACRIS entries.
Commissioners heard from members who said they viewed the property documentation and supported a hearing and site visit to collect more information on condition and possible adaptive reuse. Grant Farrington moved that the commission find the outbuilding historically and/or architecturally significant; Annie Pfaff seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded five yes, zero no; the chair said he would notify the building department so the required hearing notice can be posted. Miller proposed scheduling the required hearing for the commission’s evening meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, while noting the final date will depend on the building department’s public‑notice timetable.
The MACRIS listing for the property is cited in the application and in commission discussion (SBR 379 for the outbuilding; the main house at 2 Chestnut Hill Road appears in MACRIS as the Deacon Peter Fay House, built 1780). The commission limited its action to the outbuilding; the owner may proceed with demolition of the more recently constructed pool subject to building‑department processes.
Next steps listed by the commission are (1) formal public notice and scheduling of the hearing within 45 business days of the Oct. 1 determination; (2) a site visit before the hearing if the homeowner grants access; and (3) receipt of further information from the applicant on the building’s condition and plans for the lot.
The commission did not vote on or authorize demolition; the determination only triggers the statutorily required delay and public‑hearing process.