In the Recorder’s Jan. 20 article on the Land Court’s ruling nullifying the special permit issued to the New Salem Museum (“Ruling upends permit for museum”), the museum’s owners had ample space to articulate their vision for the museum and the wonderful art collection they hope to show. All of which is beside the point.

While the abutters’ concerns are mentioned in the article, the same level of attention to the details of their point of view are not explored. The impression is that they are opposed to the art museum, which is not the case. What people often don’t understand is that what is being proposed here is really two distinct businesses. One, a non-profit museum as described by the owners, which no one I know of in town objects to, including the abutters. But the second business they hope to run is a for-profit event destination center to host large private weddings, corporate retreats and the like.

Many of us in town feel this particular use is highly inappropriate in this setting, a quiet residential neighborhood, in an historic district, and literally right on our small town common. The abutters’ lawsuit raised legitimate concerns regarding this use and the Planning Board’s decision to issue a special permit. After hearing extensive arguments from both sides, the Land Court ruled in the abutters favor, and rightly so in my view. Had the museum been just that, and only that from the beginning, it likely would have opened over a year ago already.

David Skillicorn

New Salem

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