Mayor thanks board, previews reconstruction at 234 Bullard and PFAS plan ahead of council review

At the start of the meeting the mayor thanked the Historic Preservation Board for its preservation efforts and urged the members not to be discouraged by slow public uptake, saying small public successes will build credibility.

The mayor specifically discussed the property at 234 Bullard (the Thomasino house), saying developers determined the original structure was too deteriorated to save but have laser-scanned it and plan a millimeter-accurate reconstruction to match the original appearance. He compared the planned work to a past successful restoration of a nearby law office and said the project will preserve the look of the historic building even if the reconstructed structure will not meet eligibility criteria as an original historic fabric.

On utilities and public health, the mayor said the city has a PFAS problem that will be addressed in a forthcoming plan before council on May 19, followed by a public town-hall meeting the week after to provide details to residents. He said the solution would be implemented before a law change in 2031 and that PFAS remediation costs will be borne through water bills rather than property taxes; the city’s water system serves about 31,000–32,000 accounts and extends beyond city limits, which he said will spread some costs to nonresidents.

The mayor also described larger city projects — including two buildings under construction with federal and state funding and a planned public safety complex that may be financed by a bond referendum — and said those projects are part of a coordinated strategy to fund services and reduce residential tax pressures.

He closed by encouraging board members to contact city staff directly with questions and thanking them for their service.