Clark Tavern has a pending sale; new historic district proposed

Dear Clark Tavern supporters,

Much has happened since this petition was first launched six years ago, but we're hoping that the future will be bright in the months ahead for the Tavern, and many other historic properties on East Main Street, Medfield.

If you still care about the Clark Tavern, please attend the public hearing at 7 p.m., Dec. 12, 2019, in the Dept. of Public Works building on Rte. 27 in Medfield to help advocate for a new historic district.

What has happened over all these years since the Tavern renewal project was first proposed? After an unsuccessful effort to help the owners achieve its vision, the tavern was later sold to an assisted living company that took advantage of a hastily passed zoning change (since reversed), and filed its 75-unit facility plan with the town.

Realizing the risk to historic, archaeological and environmental assets (including Medfield water supply), a prolonged and difficult fight was launched to defend the town's Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals decisions to deny the necessary permits.

Based on deed transactions just last month (Nov. 2019), the assisted living company sold off the vacant land that it had needed for the facility to a direct abutter. Months earlier it had put the Tavern back up for sale, and it is currently listed as "pending." 

We do realize that a looming Tavern sale still presents risks to the historic structure. However, if an East Main Street Historic District gets established, it would help to protect the tavern facade as well as the 27 other historic properties on the thoroughfare, including the Peak House and 10 newer homes.

If you want to read more about the proposed district, check out the Patch article posted today. Links to the town website with important documents are included. 

In the meantime, a big thanks for advocating for the Clark Tavern and its place in our historic town of Medfield, and we hope you'll carve out time to attend the public hearing.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that we're finally headed in the right direction to protect the Tavern and many other historically significant landmarks.