MARION — The Board of Selectmen approved Meg Steinberg’s request to expand the town’s Historical Commission from three to five members, and subsequently approved three new members on Tuesday night, Jan. 21. 

In addressing the selectmen, Steinberg said that the expansion was “absolutely” necessary based on the amount of work being done by the commission, and that state legislature allows for historical commissions with three to seven voting members, as well as alternates. 

Selectman John Waterman mentioned that one advantage to a three member commission is that only two need to be present for a voting quorum, but Steinberg responded by saying that she would rather have to wait for a quorum than proceed with only two members. 

“What’s the point of having a meeting, and only two people are there making decisions that affect the whole town?” she asked. 

After approving Steinberg’s request, The Board of Selectmen, and Town Administrator James McGrail interviewed V. Jane Tucker, Bryan McSweeny, and Sidney Bowen for the three open positions on the historical commission (Steinberg, and William Tifft were the only two active members at the time of the interviews.) 

All three of the candidates identified historic homes and architecture as something that the commission should focus on in the near future. 

In explaining her background in historic architecture, Tucker said that she spent nine years renovating a historic home in Annapolis Maryland. 

McSweeney owned a historic home in Marion, and said that he has a passion for photography, particularly involving landscapes, and architecture.

He added that Tabor Academy’s previous intentions to demolish the Tenbrook/ Percy Browne house built by H.H. Richardson “spurred his interest” in joining the Historical Commission.

Bowen is a registered architect in 17 states, and also shares an interest in preserving homes that have historical significance based on their architectural designs. 

He added that he preferred renovation efforts for old homes over the idea of turning them into museums. “Houses are meant to be lived in, and they will change, [over time]” he said. 

The Board of Selectmen approved all three candidates to the now five-member Historical Commission. 

Term limits have not yet been set for the new members, but McGrail said that this will be discussed at the next Board of Selectmen Meeting.