WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
WILLIAM LEGAULT
HSI Mission and New Development
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
The historic nature of Salem is of multi-layered architecture and sensibilities reflecting eras back
to the 17th Century. The HSI mission statement meaning is simple enough. As older buildings
are renovated, and newer buildings planned we should be taking a close look at surrounding
buildings and work to incorporate some of the physical features into the new designs. This
doesn’t have to be done as imitation, but more as recognition and homage to where and what
we as a city have been in the past. Moving forward city boards and commissions members
should be of this mindset.
to the 17th Century. The HSI mission statement meaning is simple enough. As older buildings
are renovated, and newer buildings planned we should be taking a close look at surrounding
buildings and work to incorporate some of the physical features into the new designs. This
doesn’t have to be done as imitation, but more as recognition and homage to where and what
we as a city have been in the past. Moving forward city boards and commissions members
should be of this mindset.
Historic Preservation Priority
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Yes it should be a priority. The problem with priorities is that one priority often pushes other
priorities aside or to the background. We should advocate for preservation as much as we can,
as often as we can with the understanding that sometimes, especially in the interest of public
safety or critical infrastructure some compromise may be necessary.
priorities aside or to the background. We should advocate for preservation as much as we can,
as often as we can with the understanding that sometimes, especially in the interest of public
safety or critical infrastructure some compromise may be necessary.
Top Preservation Issue & Action
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
There are many. One of my major concerns would be the many historic homes owned by the
PEM that are for all intents and purposes unused, idle, and in some disrepair. The Andrew-
Safford House in Washington Square is an example. I would like to see a working group
established with PEM with a goal of finding a way to activate some of these beautiful buildings
for public access and use.
PEM that are for all intents and purposes unused, idle, and in some disrepair. The Andrew-
Safford House in Washington Square is an example. I would like to see a working group
established with PEM with a goal of finding a way to activate some of these beautiful buildings
for public access and use.
Historic District Oversight
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Any consideration of expansion of historic districts must be done a step at a time. Public input is
important even when it is made by those who oppose expansion. My support would depend on
the where, and also on feedback by residents. The same applies to expansion of the HSI
mission, I would have to see what the plans to expand oversight would entail.
important even when it is made by those who oppose expansion. My support would depend on
the where, and also on feedback by residents. The same applies to expansion of the HSI
mission, I would have to see what the plans to expand oversight would entail.
Funding for Preservation
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
I would support expanding the amount of CPA funding allocated to historic resources. As for
more funding through the capital budget, I would consider advocating for this depending on the
how and where it would be used.
more funding through the capital budget, I would consider advocating for this depending on the
how and where it would be used.
Monitoring and Protecting Development
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
This is another issue that needs to be examined one situation at a time. I am not a fan of the
40R Overlays. They are just a legitimized form of spot development. However there are times
where they should be considered. I’d be willing to have the conversations but any additional 40R
overlays will be a tough sell to me,
40R Overlays. They are just a legitimized form of spot development. However there are times
where they should be considered. I’d be willing to have the conversations but any additional 40R
overlays will be a tough sell to me,
Historic Streetscapes
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Pedestrian safety should always be a priority. I am not qualified to speak directly as to design or
placement criteria. However, fixtures bollards and the like should be fit in with not only Salem’s
historic character, but also with the actual history of the area or neighborhood.
Regarding the bollards at the Ropes Mansion I would retain them as is, but use them as a
learning point moving forward.
I love the real brick sidewalks and we should retain and maintain them as often as practicable.
Brick is a basic component in Salem’s history going back to our old waterfront warehouses, the
building of our Captain’s mansions, up to the rebuilding of the city in 1915 and 1916 following
the Great Fire. Long term funding and planning is needed.
placement criteria. However, fixtures bollards and the like should be fit in with not only Salem’s
historic character, but also with the actual history of the area or neighborhood.
Regarding the bollards at the Ropes Mansion I would retain them as is, but use them as a
learning point moving forward.
I love the real brick sidewalks and we should retain and maintain them as often as practicable.
Brick is a basic component in Salem’s history going back to our old waterfront warehouses, the
building of our Captain’s mansions, up to the rebuilding of the city in 1915 and 1916 following
the Great Fire. Long term funding and planning is needed.
Shetland Park Redevelopment
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
This proposal intrigues me but it is not even close to filling in all of the details. There is a lot of
potential there for good things to happen. I would love to see some recognition of the steam
powered textile industry that once existed there, as well something recognizing the history of
The Point from the days of the first inhabitants to today.
potential there for good things to happen. I would love to see some recognition of the steam
powered textile industry that once existed there, as well something recognizing the history of
The Point from the days of the first inhabitants to today.
Crescent Lot Development
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
I do not support separating the two projects. An agreement was negotiated and should stand.
Holding developers accountable for historic preservation starts and ends at board and
commission level and the appointments approved by the city council.
Holding developers accountable for historic preservation starts and ends at board and
commission level and the appointments approved by the city council.
26 Winter Street
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
It’s too early in the process for me to say yes or no to this proposal. My immediate reaction is
no, primarily because I fear that it could create a chain reaction where other Washington
Square homes would attempt converting in a similar way. I am willing to wait for more detailed
plans to be brought before the city before making a final decision but for me it will be a tough
sell.
no, primarily because I fear that it could create a chain reaction where other Washington
Square homes would attempt converting in a similar way. I am willing to wait for more detailed
plans to be brought before the city before making a final decision but for me it will be a tough
sell.