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HARB backs researching Swiss Pines history, advises internal review before hiring consultant
Summary
The commission endorsed, in principle, a proposal to compile a comprehensive history of Swiss Pines for inclusion in the Final Master Plan, agreed to review available local files first to reduce consultant cost, and asked members to report back before supervisors’ Feb. 2 meeting.
Chair Melissa Dicranian referred members to a proposal from Jane Dorchester (dated Oct. 21, 2025) to prepare a comprehensive history of Swiss Pines and a short history of Charlestown Village to support the Swiss Pines Final Master Plan.
Rosemary Philips, who serves on the Swiss Pines Task Force, said the task force wants the reports ready for its spring meeting in May and asked whether the Historical Commission/HARB would endorse the work. Commission members discussed available resources: French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust research and a state National Register nomination were cited as prior sources, though members said those files have not been located. Carol Quigley said she could download the National Register nomination from the state site; Nancy Long said she would follow up with the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. Paul Stevens suggested that the HARB could perform preliminary research to reduce consultant hours and thereby lower the proposal cost; others noted that a professional researcher might still be needed for a comprehensive history.
John Pittock asked whether records from Henriette Bumeder were available; a Philips indicated former Bartschi Foundation trustees Bill and Kim Coyle gave those files to a third party and they are no longer on hand. Dicranian asked members to review Dorchester’s proposal and return comments so she could relay them to the supervisors for consideration at their Feb. 2 meeting. The commission expressed general support for the proposal pending preliminary research into existing sources.
