2006-04-18 Historical Commission Minutes

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Keacdmg Historical Commission Minutes April 18, 2006 Attending: Clay Jones Virginia Adams - Chairman Susan Patterson Mark Cardono - Secretary Sharlene Reynolds Santo Kathy Greenfield Roberta Sullivan Karen Herrick Linda Tuttle Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie` Call to order 7:35 - Treasurer's Report: $644 left in the account. A contract for $500, for the senior work program, can be typed and presented to ?eter`H(ichenbleikner. How to get the books photographed for transcribing was discussed. Past Minutes Review: Continuation of the review of the minutes of February 7, 2006 from last meeting. Sharlene moved that the Commission accept the minutes from February 7, 2006, as amended. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-1. 420 Franklin Street: Clay and Virginia met with Brad Latham, on April 14, 2006, and presented a plan that Virginia ran by the Town's Engineering, Building, and Planning Departments. An additional requirement by the Building Inspector, for a Pasture Road address and access via Franklin Street, is to have 2 parking spaces on Pasture Road. Brad said that an additional benefit about the plan is that Shirley Day could probably have parcel C. Brad called Shirley and made arrangements to meet the following day. They may put preservation restrictions on the house. Roberta added that if we can engage her, we could request that she withdraw the demolition application. Clay contacted Chris Skelly at Mass Historic, who said the loss, of 420 Franklin Street, would also be a tragic loss to. Massachusetts. Chris is willing to help in any way that he can. Town Engineering could do 2 curb cuts to allow for access via Franklin Street and parking on Pasture Road, because the Building inspector says the property needs to show access via the road that the frontage is on. Fran Fink is agreeable with the parking on Pasture Road, as the parking won't encroach on the wetlands. Roberta received responses from realtors on the new lot layout. They commented that the value of the property increases if the owner subdivides it in advance. Peter Zanni is offering $700K for the property, without the house, a private party offered $600K with the house. If it is subdivided in advance, it might be worth $800K. In order to subdivide the property, they need to get an Engineer to draw up a new plan. After this, they can sell it as subdivided. Brad can work on it with the commission. Another option, to save the house, could be to make the old house a wing of a new house. Another meeting will be scheduled with Brad, Shirley, Clay, and Virginia. The Commission discussed showing her a marketing plan, if appropriate, possibly using money from the funds to help with the plan, and what magazine the house is advertised in (Antique Homes, American Landmarks, and others). Virginia will send email about the meeting tomorrow on 420 Franklin Street. Town meeting: Thursday night April 20, 2006 there is a meeting to find out when The Commission's Demolition Delay Bylaw Article will be presented. Miscellaneous: Helen Bridges found some Class of 1935 photos of Reading High School while cleaning out her house. Friends and Family Day will be on June 17, 2006, from 10 AM to 2 PM. The application, for The Commission to have a table at the Friends and Family Day, has been filled out. Susan brought up that The West Street Historic District Commission wants to hold a walking tour. However, they need to figure out what to do, so it has been put off until Fall. Virginia received a call from a woman concerned about a house, on the corner of Woburn and Bancroft Streets that is going to be demolished. The house is not on the inventory, but it is old. Virginia said that all The Commission could do is to say that the demolition and new construction will detract from the neighborhood. The construction has been reduced from 4 to 3 units. Virginia will call her back and let her know that The Commission will try to support her and that she will need to let The Commission know when and where the meetings are to be held. Town Common: RHC Minutes Rhc2006O4l8.doc Page 1 of 2