Owners receive HDC approval to rebuild and regrade dry stone wall at 572 Main Street
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Summary
Kathleen and Paul Keane received approval to regrade and rebuild a bowed dry fieldstone wall and to replace a concrete walk with brick to match historic materials; commissioners emphasized using reclaimed granite and period-appropriate bricks.
Property owners Kathleen and Paul Keane told the Historic Districts Commission they plan to regrade and rebuild a failing dry fieldstone wall at 572 Main Street to restore its historic line and increase its height slightly. The reconstruction will use reclaimed granite steps and water-struck bricks that tie into the existing chimney, and the owners said a historic mason familiar with Minuteman National Park stonework will undertake the work.
Keane said erosion has caused the wall to bow and that rebuilding will restore the original visual profile and stabilize the slope. Commissioners asked whether the bottom elevation of the wall would change; Keane said it would be lowered slightly (around six inches) in places and straightened to be more parallel to the street. The commission voted to approve the application as submitted.
The approval specifies the use of reclaimed materials and the masonry details shown in the submitted drawings. Staff will follow up with the applicants on final material samples and installation details.