Lack of a Quorum Means Phillips Street Porch Demolition Permit May Be Approved by Default

Report on the Meeting of the Historical Commission, Aug. 18, 2026

This meeting was held via Zoom and was recorded.

Present
Joel Greenbaum, George Baitinger, and Camila Hwang-Carlos. Absent: MacKenzie Landsittel and Kalyani Subramanyam.
Staff: Walker Powell (planner)

With only three members present, the Historical Commission lacked a quorum and could not rule on the request to demolish the deteriorating second-story porch at 33 Phillips St. At the July 21 meeting, the commission expressed a strong preference for repairing or replacing the porch to maintain the building’s historic character. The commission recommended that the owner, Xiaowei Chen, solicit estimates for removing and for maintaining the porch.

Chen presented a contractor’s estimate of $5,000 to demolish the porch and at least $30,000 to replace it. He said replacing the porch would be a financial hardship for him. He was anxious for a decision at this meeting so the work could be finished before tenants arrive next month, since the building inspector had indicated the porch, in its current state, posed some risk to people using it. Chen did not want to continue the hearing to the next meeting.

Without a quorum to approve a demolition delay, the demolition permit could now be approved by default. That decision now rests with Building Commissioner Rob Morra. “It’s not the commission’s ideal response,” Planner Walker Powell said, “but that is the way the bylaw is written.”

Article 13.34 of the town’s zoning bylaw states: “If, within thirty-five (35) days of the Commission’s receipt of a copy of an application for a demolition permit, no public hearing has been held, or if within fourteen (14) days following the close of the public hearing no finding by the Commission has been filed with the Building Commissioner, the Building Commissioner may, subject to the requirements of the State Building Code and any other applicable laws, bylaws, rules and regulations, issue the demolition permit.”

Vacancies Limit the Ability of the Commission
The Historical Commission has two vacancies, and one member, MacKenzie Landsittel, has missed several meetings. The other member, Kalyani Subramanyam, was recently appointed and has attended only one meeting. Powell said the town’s policy is that if a “member misses enough meetings, it’s considered that they may have resigned from the commission.” Powell said she will contact Landsittel to see if she wishes to continue serving.

The commission also deferred electing officers until a quorum is present.

Member Joel Greenbaum said he knows of two candidates interviewing for the Historical Commission, and they are awaiting a decision from the town manager, the appointing authority.

The commission will meet next on Sept. 15.