Local Developer Receives Medfield Preservation Award

The Medfield Historical Commission has awarded this year's Preservation Award to local developer Bob Borelli.

Historical Commission co-chair David Temple called Borelli a "prolific builder" and praised him for his "restoration and adaptive reuse" of the 1811 Fairbanks/Chenery/Hale house -- sometimes referred to by its Native American name "Woontoneakanuske" -- at 34 South Street,  the site of Medfield's first straw hat factory. 

"I personally think the final result is outstanding," Temple said during the presentation at the Nov. 19 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. "The first house is halfway between a restoration and a replica, and it fits the neighborhood perfectly. The other units complement the property.  All three houses sold quickly. And right after these, Bob built two conjoined houses at 77 South Street which respect the neighborhood and its history."

Borelli was also thanked for his work at 77 South Street where he restored and renovated the main house and added a second house to the back.