The local nonprofit organization advocating to list Waveny—the main house, outbuildings and grounds—on the National Register of Historic Places, said in an open letter to town officials that its own members are seeking only to serve as fundraisers and expert advisors on the hugely popular public park.
In a Dec. 5 letter to the Town Council, New Canaan Preservation Alliance President Rose Scott Long addressed the municipal body’s concerns about the nonprofit’s “authority, control and involvement” in overseeing capital projects or improvements at Waveny.
“The Alliance would have no authority or control, but would like to be involved as a fundraising entitiy and as a source of preservation knowledge and expertise either from within the Alliance or by facilitating networking between the Town and entities with preservation expertise,” the letter said.
It follows the Town Council’s Nov. 19 meeting—and two public hearings as well as meetings with other municipal boards prior to that—during which council members raised questions about the scope of the proposed listing and concerns about how the designation would affect town control.
The Town Council is scheduled to meet next at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17, at the New Canaan Nature Center. The agenda for that meeting is not yet available.
Here is the full text the NCPA’s letter:
Councilmen:
Thank you for your continued attention to the proposal by the New Canaan Preservation Alliance to facilitate nominating Waveny Park to the National Register of Historic Places. In response to concerns and questions at the November 19th Town Council meeting, the Alliance would like to provide the following information.
Defining the extent of the physical boundaries of the nomination was a primary concern. The exact boundary will be determined through a discussion between the Town and the Connecticut State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) taking place Monday, December 15 at 2:30 at Waveny Park.
Another concern was requirements upon listing. There are no requirements associated with designation. Any ‘requirements’ would be part of requests for funding from State or Federal government. A list of numerous properties in New Canaan listed on the State and National Register was submitted to Town Council prior to the November 6th hearing. No requirements or restrictions have been placed upon these properties as a result of their listing. If government funding is sought, work should be performed according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. In other words, doing things properly, consistently the practice of the Town.
Restrictions on adjacent properties was a concern. According to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Section 106 review takes place when a ‘project involving federal action, approval, or funding may affect properties that qualify for the National Register of Historic Places.’ Whether Waveny is listed or not, since it qualifies, a review would take place. Section 106 cannot require that adjacent property follow the recommendation.
Finally Town Council questioned the Alliance’s authority, control and involvement. The Alliance would have no authority or control, but would like to be involved as a fundraising entitiy and as a source of preservation knowledge and expertise either from within the Alliance or by facilitating networking between the Town and entities with preservation expertise.
Again, thank you for your consideration of this proposal, and thank you for your continued stewardship of Waveny Park.
Rose Scott Long
President
New Canaan Preservation Alliance