Historical Commission hears bid to demolish 1913 home on Elmwood Road

WELLESLEY — June 9, 2025 — Wellesley Historical Commission weighs preferably-preserved finding for 1913 home at 53 Elmwood Road. Planning staff member Madison told the board the two-story vernacular house, built around 1913 by Herbert and Alma Avery and held by the same family for more than a century, is representative of early Fells development and that "its loss would be a detriment to the neighborhood." Owner-applicant Rick Pluff, 69, who grew up in the house, countered that surrounding homes have nearly all been rebuilt or remodeled and asked the board to let him "replace it with something that fits in with the rest of the neighborhood." Member Elizabeth Cahill called the property "one of the last remaining vestiges of the real history of this particular neighborhood." Alternate Emily Maitin recused; Chair Michael Racette seated Thomas Paine for absent voting member Jacob Lilly. Deliberation was still in progress as the available record ended.