2005-12-06 Historical Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

v Reading Historical Commission Minutes December 6, 2005 j Attending: Karen Herrick Roberta Sullivan` E Virginia Adams - Chairperson Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie Linda Tuttle Mark Cardono - Secretary Susan Patterson Clay Jones. _ Kathy Greenfield Sharlene Reynolds Santo Diane Jones 3; Call to order 7:40 PM Past Minutes Review: Review of minutes from November 15, 2005. Sharlene moved that the Commission accept the minutes from November 15, 2005. Roberta seconded the motion. Sharlene moved that the Commission accept the minutes from November 15, 2005 as amended. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0-0. Review of minutes from October 4, 2005. Roberta moved that the Commission accept the minutes from October 4, 2005 as amended. Wilbar seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0-0. Treasurer's report: Sharlene moved that the Commission reimburse Roberta, $9.94, for archive supplies. Mark seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0-0. 420 Franklin Street: There was a memo from the Town Manager, stating that he met with owners of 420 Franklin Street, and that they have withdrawn the demolition application. The house will be off of the market during the holidays. A PRD was mentioned as an alternative to demolition. The Commission has been working on alternate zoning to help save historic structures. Clay suggested that the town purchase the land. Historic Preservation Zoning Relief Bylaw: Chris Reilly scheduled The Commission for the public input portion of the CPDC meeting. There will be a workshop with CPDC to get the new bylaw onto the Town Meeting agenda. Roberta put together a list of houses that may fall under the bylaw. The ZBA is concerned with having to do more work. The Commission is supposed to be at the ZBA meeting along with CPDC on December 12, 2005. The Commission reviewed the wording of the by law. Other towns had a frequently asked questions (faqs) sheet to go along with the bylaw. The Commission should also put together a faqs sheet. The new bylaw should be integrated into the town master plan Clay suggested we get someone from North Reading or Andover to help at the workshops. Virginia will work on getting the corrections made to the draft of the bylaw. 717 Pearl Street: The owner has a post and beam specialist, in New Hampshire, that wants to dismantle it and rebuild it in New Hampshire. Virginia told the owner that he needs to reapply for a demolition permit, which will trigger the delay. The owner will probably make an application in January of 2006. Master plan: Included in the Master Plan is more historic districts by December of 2006, more scenic roads or explore conservation districts, and The Open Space Committee will do interpretive program by January of 2007. Miscellaneous: Virginia will attend a West Street Reconstruction meeting on December 15, 2005. Bob Brown told Virginia that The Christian Science Church is considering selling the church. The Boston Stove building is under consideration for demolition for a new Stop and Shop. The current owner will let The Commission come in and document the building. The Commission received notification that there will not be a cell tower on private property near Camp Curtis Guild. Virginia provided information to the person who is trying to do work on Cedar swamp. A development in the Avon Street area is looking for names. Virginia passed out a draft of The Commission's mission statement. The Commission received notice of a grant program for inventorying records, artifacts, etc. RMLD calendars are available, which features the Hamden mansion on the cover. 75 Pleasant Street: Roberta is concerned that we are holding up the RHA, both in time and money. It was brought up whether The Commission should help them with the streetscape instead of trying to save the house. Adjourned 10:10 PM RHC Minutes Rhc12062005.doc Page 1 of 1