To the Editor:
This week, an out-of-state real estate buyer submitted an application to demolish a historic 1730s cape that is a key part of the Damariscotta Mills landscape, and more importantly, the village’s amazing history. The application submittal means that the clock is now ticking, and they’re getting the wrecking ball ready to raze the lovely old home formerly owned and loved by the late Connie Curley, who passed away last week.
Thankfully, the Town of Newcastle has an ordinance and Design Review process, which was created to prevent this kind of historic destruction. Whether the law will be implemented according to its intent is still at stake.
Demolition of this historic home will be debated by the board and voted on in the next four months. If you care about the history and visual character of our community, you should learn more and get involved.
Once unique old homes like this are torn down, they can never be re-created, and the buyer’s proposed new “weekend getaway” second-home design presented at the board meeting indicates that they have no intention of having the new modern building look anything like the quaint old cape that still stands.
Not only does the applicant propose to flatten this 1730s cape that was one of the first homes built in the area when William Vaughn and his brave band of pioneers established the village at the base of Damariscotta Lake, they propose building a larger new structure with an odd appearance and “Gambrel Roof” that is totally out of character with the other historic homes in the neighborhood, including the neighboring Kavanaugh Mansion built in 1803 that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 1730s cape home can be restored, but the demolition applicant says it would “cost too much.” Recognizing the inherent cultural and tourism value etc. of these old homes, the Newcastle ordinance does not place a price-tag on the cost of restoration, instead it says, “It is the specific intent of this ordinance to: “Encourage the continued use of existing historically or architecturally important buildings and those which contribute to the character of the Historic areas and discourage their demolition and removal.”
The Board voted at the meeting that this home is a Class A historic property – the highest value.
What does the Newcastle Historical Society say in regards to the proposed demolition, in a Nov. 8 letter to the Design Review Committee? “The sale of a beautiful old house with unique architecture and history should not be considered solely for its tear down potential. Newcastle is already replete with modern houses that were built where architecturally historic and unique houses once stood.”
Let’s not let them add this lovely old home to that sad list!
Furthermore, even if the applicant demolishes the antique cape, it is clear from the ordinance that any new structure must resemble what they are tearing down: the intent is to: “Assure that new buildings are designed and built in a manner compatible with the character of the Historic areas in terms of scale and visual effect.” In other words, a proposed replacement would need to look historic from the curbside.
Please, if you care about the character and history of Damariscotta Mills (and more broadly Newcastle and the entire Lincoln County community), join me and many others in the community that value history, in opposition to the demolition.
Mic LeBel, Newcastle
