Residents and preservationists urge Select Board to reappoint John Stewart amid disputes about dual roles

Dozens of residents spoke during public comment at the Yarmouth Select Board’s Dec. 17 meeting to support the reappointment of John Stewart to the Old Kings Highway Historic District Committee, saying his years of local preservation work and construction experience meet the statutory requirements for the architect/builder seat.

"John Stewart...I live at 182 Route 6A in Yarmouth Port, and I'm here this evening to applaud the phenomenal efforts," said John Stewart, who described losing his business in a recent fire and thanked first responders.

Speakers including Robert Wilkins, chair of the Old Kings Highway Committee, presented statistics to the board, saying the committee has reviewed 124 solar applications since 2021 and approved 114 ("90 2 percent," as stated in testimony), to counter claims the committee opposed solar projects. Robert Wilkins offered copies of data to the board and asked the Select Board to consider Stewart despite the appointment not being on the agenda.

Lisa Tru Grady, who said she and her husband moved to the Old Kings Highway area because of the district’s protections, told the board she had written in support of Stewart and objected to what she called public efforts by a Select Board member to "undermine" him. "Miss Argo should be removed from any further involvement or discussion regarding the Old Kings Highway Committee," Grady said, citing the Town Charter and arguing the select member may hold conflicting roles.

Former committee architect Richard Ventrauen, who cited credentials under the Secretary of the Interior Standards (36 CFR part 61), said in a prepared statement that Stewart’s building‑trade experience and preservation work made him well suited to the role and criticized the characterization of Stewart as merely a "boat builder." "In my professional opinion ... Mr. Stewart ... has the knowledge of building technologies and comprehensive understanding of preservation," Ventrauen said.

Board members did not take a formal vote on reappointment during the meeting. Several Select Board members acknowledged the public testimony and said they would review the record and the town’s appointment process; one member requested a briefing on assignment practices to avoid perceived conflicts in future selections.

The public record shows strong neighborhood support for Stewart and conflicting views about whether board members’ prior discussions about candidates violated expectations of process. Select Board members said they would return this appointment to a future meeting for further deliberation and documentation.