Panel approves fix for unauthorized chimney removal

Other Committee · Meeting of June 11, 2026

WORCESTER — The Worcester Historical Commission approved a retroactive fix for an unauthorized chimney removal at 9 Ashland Street and granted a financial hardship certificate for low-income window replacements on Westinghouse Parkway. Contractor Adam Gavel, representing Monroe Management LLC, agreed to rebuild two chimneys he had demolished without approval, using a brick veneer product; commissioners approved the work 5-0 but said they "do not want it to be a pattern," citing a similar unapproved removal at 54 West Street. Resident Jennifer Vito's demolition delay waiver for 18 vinyl replacement windows failed 0-7, but commissioners then approved a financial hardship certificate 7-0, citing her low-income state subsidy.

At 7 Westland Street, homeowner Al Hargrave got a 7-0 waiver to replace only his roof's rear slope with asphalt shingles, while the front-slope slate question was continued to June 25. The American Antiquarian Society won 7-0 approval to replace a 27-year-old cooling tower at 185 Salisbury Street.

In the full story:

• Roll call and preliminary matters
• 31 Roxbury Street: solar panel certificate of appropriateness
• 4 Westinghouse Parkway: window replacement and financial hardship
• 7 Westland Street: slate roof replacement and continued hardship review
• 185 Salisbury Street: cooling tower replacement
• 9 Ashland Street: retroactive chimney, window and trim work
• Minutes and adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,382 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of June 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.