Should the owner of an historic house be able to change it as he sees fit?
Theresa Hall, 34, Windham
“If someone owns a home they have the right to do what they want. But they ought to think of the history in the building and rethink their plans. People are destroying the history I want to be able to show m children when they grow up.”
Lori Plourde, 43, Bridgton
“I think so but in keeping with its historical period. I wouldn’t want to see vinyl siding or wild paint color on a historic house. Be sensitive to its period.”
Jason Patenaude, 30, Casco
“If he bought and paid for the house, it’s his to do as he wants with it. If the townspeople wanted to preserve the house as an historical site, they should purchase the house themselves. I know I wouldn’t take too well to being told what I could and couldn’t do with my own house.”
Deb Valley, 34, Westbrook
“If you buy something, it’s yours. You should be able to do anything you want with it. Personally I wouldn’t. If it was an historic building, I’d make sure it was restored to its original condition.”
Mindy Grover, 32, Windham
“I would say no, if it has historic significance. If something important happened there, it should stay the same. We’ve lost a lot of historic things already and you can’t get them back when they’re gone.”
Youbell Jackson, 75, Windham
“On one side, you kind of like to keep the building like it was years ago, but then again you’re infringing on someone’s rights to do as they see fit with their property. So what do you do? It’s a hard one.”
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