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 decades and that town staff reported visible structural defects, including roof holes and water infiltration.

"This is going to come up to us," Gloria said, explaining the demolition-review timeline under the town's demolition delay process: a 21‑day initial review to determine whether the building is preferably preserved, up to 45 days to schedule a public hearing, and then the possibility of a six‑month demolition delay if the commission deems preservation appropriate.

Commission members reported that the owner and/or buyer had sought information from the building department and that, in one instance, the owner had been told no historic restriction existed. Gloria said the building commissioner, Joe Cronbach, visited the property and that the commission will seek clear documentation of the house's condition and property history before any hearing.

The new owner, Dominic Polaseko, "has also offered to show the house," meeting participants said; the commission agreed to arrange a coordinated site visit so that more than three members could attend (the commission noted that gatherings of four or more must be posted as public meetings). Members discussed options if the structure is unsalvageable, including photographic documentation before demolition and investigating whether moving the older core of the building is feasible. Several commissioners noted that moving historic houses is sometimes undertaken but that this particular dwelling includes multiple later additions and may require section-by-section handling if relocation is attempted.

Commissioners emphasized the importance of timely action because demolition review deadlines are set by bylaw. Gloria said she would circulate the owner's contact information and coordinate possible visit times. She also reminded members that special summer meetings might be necessary if demolition-delay timeframes require faster action than the regular June 16 meeting schedule allows.

No formal vote or preservation determination was made at the meeting. Instead, the commission directed staff and members to document the property, schedule inspections that comply with open-meeting posting rules, and gather additional information about the house's structural condition and any prior communications with the building department.