Norwood commission votes to put Moss House exterior work out to bid, cites $185,000 CPA balance and National Register delays

The Norwood Historical Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to ask Town Manager Tony Mazzuco to put the exterior work for the Moss House — including windows — out to bid, using a $185,000 balance from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.

Commission Chair Judith Howard opened discussion saying the commission’s application to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for matching funds had been denied and that the commission still holds $185,000 in CPA funds earmarked for the Moss House. Howard said the denial likely reflected a high number of competing applications. “We can’t wait any longer,” she said, urging prompt action to protect the building.

The commission’s preservation consultant updated the building’s Form B for the National Register of Historic Places, Howard said, but members described an extended, iterative review process with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Commissioner Tom (last name not specified) said the National Register review had been “going on for nearly a year,” and that the commission had been responding to repeated requests for clarification. Howard and others said that delay, while part of a rigorous state process, left the building exposed to another winter without repairs.

The commission prioritized windows as the first line of work. Commissioner (name given as Cheryl Doyle during roll call) and other members warned that the Moss House’s windows are unusually sized and that removing them could reveal rot requiring additional carpentry, making the scope and cost uncertain. As Howard put it, “the glass is literally popping out of the pane.” Several members said a phased approach would be needed if bids exceed the $185,000 balance.

Commissioner (member) moved that the commission ask Town Manager Tony Mazzuco to put the project — described in the motion as construction work for the interior and exterior including the windows — out to bid and to request a list of contractors who specialize in historic construction from Kristen Phelps. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The commission also discussed temporary measures — including a plastic covering over five windows installed previously — that have helped hold windows in place. Members said such short-term fixes could be used only if more extensive carpentry could not be funded immediately.

The vote gives the town manager direction to begin procurement and to return estimates so the commission can prioritize repairs if bids exceed available CPA funds.

What happens next: The commission expects the town manager and procurement office to compile bid specifications and a prioritized repair list to present back to the commission for final decisions about what CPA funds will cover.