Charlie Breitrose The Commander’s Mansion in Watertown.
Greetings Councilors:
“They don’t know what they don’t know.”
How did the revival of the Commander’s Mansion come to be? What was the process that restored this beautiful edifice to its full glory? The story, behind the story, can be found in the attached September 23, 2005 Final Report of the Watertown Arsenal Development Corporation.
Without the time and talents, that were offered by so many people; the Commander’s Mansion would still be an abandoned shell of itself. The Mansion is not a stand alone. The Mansion is an integral part of the Watertown Arsenal redevelopment process.
Mr. John S. Airasian served as Chairman of both the 1989 Watertown Arsenal Reuse Committee and the 1997 Watertown Arsenal Development Corporation. Yes, John dedicated over sixteen years to the process that culminated in the reuse of the Arsenal property. Our community should be eternally grateful to John for his vision, tireless enthusiasm during the arduous times and commitment to Watertown’s future.
“Members of the 1989 Arsenal Reuse Committee who served for one or more years included John S. Airasian ( Chairman), James E. McDermott, Susan Falkoff, William York, Marylouise McDermott, Diana Procter, Kathy Santoian, Kevin Lessard, Robert Chase, Thomas M. Sherry, Walter Oates III, Steven Steadman, Warren Tolman, John Portz, Hope Tsacoyeanes, Joe Leah, Jane Argento, Paul Menton, and Alison B. Carnduff.”
“The Watertown Arsenal Development Corporation was formally established in May 1997 with the appointment of a nine-member board of directors. Six members were appointed by the Town Manager and confirmed by the Town Council, and three members were Town Councilors nominated and elected by their peers.”
“The members of the WADC have included John S. Airasian ( Chairman), James E. McDermott, James I. Bean, Alison B. Carnduff, Roberta A. Miller, Joseph Divico, Sal Ciccarelli, Mark Sideris, John Portz and Sandra Kasabian- Hoffman. Mark Boyle of the Watertown Community Development and Planning Department served as Executive Director, and Ingrid Marchesano, also of the Planning Department, served as Administrative Assistant.”
Allow history to enlighten the present. Celebrate the Commander’s Mansion 160th Anniversary with clear remembrance.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis
Retired Watertown District A, East End, City Councilor
(To browse document, put cursor over page, navigate with controls at bottom) WADC-Final-Report-23Sep2005-1