Trustees approve demolition of rear of 24 Elm Street after assurances on asbestos removal and neighbor coordination

Applicants for 24 Elm Street sought approval to demolish a non‑contributing rear portion of the building to permit later reconstruction and a full building application. Alex Sirigu, operations manager for the property, and Kelly Osgood, representing Velansky Studio, said the rear one‑story section is in poor condition and not historically contributing; the front façade would remain.

Matt Powers, executive director of the Woodstock History Center, asked whether hazardous‑materials mitigation had been completed and requested notification of the demolition schedule because the museum shares a driveway and utilities: "If so, and the demolition is approved, we would hope that water can be applied to the demolition to keep the dust down," he said. Sirigu replied that hazardous‑materials inspection had been completed and that asbestos found in the interior was removed safely; he said the applicants would coordinate timing and mitigation with the History Center.

Trustees also heard from Susan Fuller, a History Center trustee, who asked that shared driveway repairs be guaranteed if heavy equipment caused damage and suggested temporary fencing and coverings to limit dust intrusion into artifact spaces. Owner Jaira Billings, whose property adjoins the site, said she supports demolition but urged coordinated work to resolve shared drainage and electrical/transformer issues and suggested using the same contractor for drainage fixes.

A trustee moved to close testimony and another moved to accept the application "as presented," with direction that applicants coordinate with neighbors and experts for demolition logistics and repairs; the trustees voted in favor. Presenters said the demolition would likely take two to four days and that they will confirm schedules and mitigation with neighbors and utility providers.