Commission to respond after unexpected $5,000 invoice tied to National Register application

Commission members discussed an unexpected invoice for work on a National Register of Historic Places nomination submitted to the town by a historian, identified in meeting remarks as Wendy Frontiero. Commission chair Judith Howerwood said she had received an email and then “an invoice of $5,000,” and that the commission had not authorized payment or contracted for paid research.

Cheryl Doyle and other commissioners said they had asked the historian only to review and comment on earlier draft applications and had not agreed to paid work. Commissioners said the historian had earlier met with Kristen Phelps, the CPC administrator, and that the historian told staff she would prepare a draft in March and that 75% of the total project cost would be due at that time; in the meeting record Rosen and others said the historian indicated the final draft would be ready by the end of the fiscal year (June 30).

Commission members said they would prepare a letter responding to the invoice and would coordinate with the town manager’s office and the CPC administrator to clarify what work, if any, the town authorized and what funds, if any, are available in the commission’s budget. A commissioner noted a historical payment of $750 was made previously (circa 2013–2014) to another firm for related work; members said there was no prior written invoice or town approval for the new $5,000 charge.

The commission directed staff to draft a response for commission review and to follow up with the town manager’s office and CPC staff to determine whether the invoice should be processed or disputed. No payment was authorized at the meeting.