80 Shore Road, Waterford ~ The Loss of an Iconic Connecticut Farmhouse

 

Full scale demolition of the farmhouse at 80 Shore Road started on December 16, 2023.

When a core building in a Historic District is demolished, one may ask, "Does anybody care about historic buildings anymore?" and also "How do we stop this from happening again?"

 Fortunately, the answer to the first question is a resounding, "Yes!"  Many, many people cared about this iconic Connecticut farmhouse that housed the early days of the American Impressionist Painting Movement.

The story in fact went viral, and not just the on-line petition. Independently, neighbors and historians posted pictures on social media and the outcry of "how do we save this?" resounded on Instagram and Facebook, in numerous groups. 

 "How do we stop this from happening again?" is a more involved question. A Moratorium Agreement had been signed in later November of 2023 to prevent demolition before a decision making process could take place.  This decision making process was a carefully scripted Public Process that was designed, over years of use, to be fair and equitable to all parties involved. 

Yet the agreement was breached and the public process stopped and the building was demolished during this legally executed Moratorium period, with no reaction from the AG. 

Going forward, to save other historic properties, contact Preservation CT and your town historic properties commission. You can strengthen your Historic District legally and also you could put deed restrictions on your own property.

Below is the introduction to the Moratorium Agreement document which was breached by all parties who signed it.

 

How did the process go so wrong? A more detailed history:

This building at 80 Shore Road, Waterford was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

In Mid October 2023 neighbors of 80 Shore Road fist learned there was an application for a permit to demolish the building. The neighbors united and looked for ways to stop or delay the demolition.

In late October 2023, Preservation CT and SHPO (State Historic Preservation Offices) initiated a public decision making process aimed at evaluating the buildings at 80 Shore Road in a manner that was factual and fair to all involved. 

 In this process, the state of Connecticut spent tax dollars engaging architects, historians, and engineers to assess the structure to determine if it was structurally viable, and if it contributed to the historic character of the culture of Connecticut.

The boards of Preservation Connecticut, and SHPO voted unanimously in early November 2023 that this property was viable and a contributing historic property, and voted unanimously to ask the Attorney Generals' assistance to "prevent (its) unreasonable demolition." 

The public decision making process takes time and there was a grave concern there was not enough time for the process to complete.

In late November, 2023, a Moratorium Agreement was executed to give more time for the process. The agreement's stated purpose was to protect the public process of finding the most fair way forward. It legally forbade demolition during the Moratorium, and was signed by the Owner, the Town of Waterford and the Attorney General's Office.

 As mid-December 2023 approached, it was informally reported that an early consensus was being reached among representatives from SHPO, Preservation CT and the AG's Office. This informal consensus was that the most historic parts of the building at 80 Shore would need to be preserved, but the owner would be able to alter or demolish some later additions.

Almost everyone was surprised when the AG's Office pivoted from previous sentiment and announced on December 14, 2023 that they would no longer participate in the process. This announcement undermined and effectively ended the unfinished public process that had been protected by the Moratorium Agreement. 

On the news that the AG office would not stop demolition, the owner instructed the Building Department of the Town of Waterford to issue a demolition permit, even though the Moratorium Agreement was still in effect. The Town of Waterford complied with the wishes of the owner, and issued the demolition permit. Demolition started on Saturday, December 16, 2023. 

Inserted here are two screen shots from the Moratorium Agreement:

 Noted that there was a Unanimous vote to request assistance of Office of Attorney General: