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Reacting Historical Commission Meeting Minutes 9 June 2006 <br />Meeting called to order at 9:10 am in the Town Hall Conference Room ; <br />Commission Members in attendance included: <br />Virginia Adams Karen Herrick <br />Clayton Jones <br />Kathy Greenfield, acting Secretary Linda Tuttle <br />Sharlene Reynolds Santo, acting Secretary Susan Patterson <br />Others in Attendance: Peter Hechenbleikner <br />Minutes: <br />• Si na a on the Common RHC met with Peter Hechenbleikner to discuss the proposed 4x7 <br />sign on the town common. Virginia began with the background of the term "Common" or <br />"Green" along with a recap of the Guidelinesfor Evaluating Changes to Common approved <br />by the Selectman in 1991. Virginia explained that the Reading Town Common was a <br />relatively small Common split up into 4 parts equaling about 1 acre with the focal point being <br />Old South Church, the flagpole, and the Town Hall. Currently there is historic signage, <br />electric poles, street lights, fire hydrants, utility boxes and benches in this Green space. In <br />the Guidelines the RHC is charged with educating the public and defending the common <br />against encroachment (traffic, recreation, publicity etc) the Commission wants to maintain its <br />current borders to maintain the focal point - The Old South Church. The Commission <br />recommended some alternative locations for the new sign such as the Depot, Haven Street or <br />on Main Street near the Simms Jewelers. The Commission also suggested that the school <br />accomplishment sign; erected a few years ago; be moved to a more appropriate location, such <br />as at the corner of Birch Meadow Drive. <br />Peter claimed that there is a large demand for the signs on the common because it is the <br />crossroads/center of town. Permits are required and commercial signs or promotions are not <br />allowed. He recognized the Commission's view and wants to try to compromise regarding <br />the encroachment. With such a large number of signs he wants to bring order to the common <br />and reduce the clutter. The Downtown Plan; will be put out to bid by the end of June and <br />would be a 2 year project. He stated that a sign at CVS/Simms Jewelers area not an option at <br />this time, but could be later. Peter intends to go ahead with the sign he already has a sponsor <br />for. Standards will be set for the size of the lettering. He has spoken with the current <br />superintendent of schools who was not aware of the history with the current sign and wants <br />to rotate the accomplishments and may consider moving it. <br />The group also discussed what might be appropriate on the sign when there are no events <br />posted. Susan Patterson questioned if the improved traffic flow due to down town redesign <br />would lessen the effectiveness of these signs when traffic moves by faster. Peter didn't think <br />that traffic would be that fast. The town does plan to work with RHC regarding bench <br />placement, plantings (native) and maintenance. Virginia stated that the common is in good <br />shape and stressed that the sign should not be put there. Peter claimed he would look at other <br />location after the Downtown Streetscape is done and asked that the commission trust him that <br />that will happen. Clay was concerned that the signs would be more promotional than <br />