Needham commission to inspect 706 Great Plain after owner signals demolition intent

The Neon Historical Commission discussed the condition and possible demolition of the James Smith House at 706 Great Plain during its May 19 meeting, and agreed to arrange an inspection after the new owner indicated he may demolish the building rather than renovate it.

Gloria, chair of the Neon Historical Commission, told members the house — described in meeting materials as having origins dating to 1727 and fabric possibly from the mid-1700s — was recently inherited by the daughter of the longtime owner and, in a separate case discussed later in the meeting, a neighboring buyer, Dominic Polaseko, now owns adjacent property and has expressed an interest in removing the structure to extend lawn area. Gloria said the house has not been maintained in recent…