2008-01-08 Historical Commission Minutes

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Reading Historical Commission Meeting Minutes, January 8, 2008 TOW CLERK Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm in the Town Hall ConferencA G, A S S - Commission Members in attendance included: Z698 MAR - A g* 2 b Kathy Greenfield, Chair Virginia Adams Roberta Sullivan, Treasurer Mark Cardono Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Secretary Karen Herrick Minutes: • Minutes of 4 December 2007 were reviewed. Mark made a motion to approve the minutes as amended Roberta seconded. Approved 4-0-1. • Town of 11 nnfield - Lynnfield Historical Commission is looking for input on how best to deal with the onslaught of demolitions that they are facing, and has asked for a representative from our commission to attend a meeting to discuss our experiences. Kathy will attend this meeting. • Avon St Barn - This barn is still available to be moved. If there is no interest it will be demolished. This Avon St property is not on the inventory. Karen offered to create a web-ad with the hopes that an interested party will take notice. • 21 Spring St. - Now on the market • 18-20 Woburn St - What is left of this property is scheduled for demolition this week. • 124 Salem St - The revised letter regarding the original build date of this house has been sent to the Assessors office by Kathy. • Historic Markers - A memo was received from Maureen Knight regarding markers for the new down town area. The group discussed various options and agreed that in-ground plaques of engraved granite is preferred. The Commission will ask to be involved with the planning process (re: placement content and quantity). Virginia and Kathy will pursue this with Carol Kowalski. • Treasurer's Report After expenditures the Commission has $950.00 in the general fund; $750 of this money has been allocated to Elena for the data entry of archives resources. There was discussion on our current procedure for backing up our data. Roberta proposed that we purchase an inexpensive fire proof water tight safe. No decision was made on this. Someone should check with the Technical Department regarding using the town's backup system. • Grant Application - We should hear shortly if we can proceed with the grant process; for Mass Historical is currently reviewing the preapplications. The Commission also discussed requesting a line item on FY 09 Budget to finance the local portion of the grant. • . Mansionization - Virginia brought a copy of a Boston Globe article regarding mansionization. In this news clipping it stated that a Federal court upheld a ruling supporting Norwell's right to stop mansionization if the structure down not fit the neighborhood. Discussion ensued on the pros and cons of such a regulation in Reading. Kathy will bring this up to Carol Kowalski; such a bylaw should come from the Planning Department. • Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm • The next meetings is scheduled for February 5, 2008 at 7:30 pm