2005-10-25 Historical Commission Minutes

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Reading Historical Commission Minutes October 25, 2005 Attending: Virginia Adams - Chair Roberta. Sullivan Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie , Susan Patterson (acting Secretary) Karen Herrick .u . Yi ,J j. Call to order 7:30pm Past minutes review Discussion postponed Treasurer's Report Warrant signed for $15.08 for cost of photos of 114 and 75 Pleasant St. Reading Common Impact Virginia read the draft letter to the Mass. Highway Dept. aloud. Minor changes in wording and punctuation suggested. Col Hoxie moved to approve revised draft. Roberta seconded. Vote:3-0-0 West St. road reconstruction Virginia read letter from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (engineers) giving notification of reconstruction project and requesting comments from RHC. Roberta moved that RHC send a letter in response cautioning sensitivity to the historic nature of the area, including protection of trees, walls and Inventory properties. Also notify of existence of West St. Historic District Commission. Col. Hoxie seconded. Vote:3-0-0 Demo Delay By-law Virginia noted that the letter from RHC outlining its position with regard to the manner and means of enforcing the by-law was sent to town counsel 10-18-05. 75 Pleasant St. Virginia and Roberta's research into the street directories provides some evidence that 75 Pleasant was built as a 2-family residence. Walk-through on 10-20-05, with Mark Hall (contractor), Les Brown (architect), David O'Sullivan (architect), lead to following opinions in re handling of the building: Mark Hall recommended either gutting the house, or tearing it down and then replicating it. Les Brown felt the building was a "borderline tear-down" because it doesn't "show" its historic value; there are numerous code violations including stairs, railings, ceiling heights, connected bedrooms. Discussion ensued. Col. Hoxie moved that RHC send a letter to RHA with a recommendation that the RHA look into saving the mature trees on the property and reconfiguring the parking scheme. Seconded by Roberta. Vote:3-0-0 Alternative zoning for historic properties Hard copies of the North Reading and Andover alternative zoning by-laws to be produced and distributed. A proposal for Reading to adopt such a by-law should get on the town warrant as soon as possible. Avon St. subdivision RHC asked to suggest street name. Suggestions: Burnap Way; Benjamin Lane (for Ben Nichols) Other business A grant writing workshop devoted to archives is being offered on 11-8-05. Roberta moved that RHC pay for three people to attend. Virginia seconded. Vote: 3-0-0 Meeting adjourned 9:50pm.