2005-10-04 Historical Commission Minutes

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Reading Historical Commission Minutes October 4, 2005 Attending:. Virginia Adams - Chairperson Karen Herrick Roberta Sullivan Mark Cardono - Secretary Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie Linda Tuttle Kathy Greenfield Call to order 8:07 PM Sharlene Reynolds Santo Clay Jones 75 Pleasant Street: Virginia read her planned speech for the RHA (Reading Housing Authority) Selectmen joint meeting at 8:15 PM tonight, Regarding 75 Pleasant Street. The Commission Members helped with the wording of the speech, which is intended to help save the building. The Commission went to the joint meeting at 8:15 PM. At the meeting, the land swap and building of 4 affordable units were discussed. The meeting then went on to saving the house. The RHA made statements about the current condition, the costs to rehabilitate the house, and how to sell the house with and without restrictions. Virginia spoke about the differences between rehabilitation and restoration, and that The Commission has 2 consultants ready to help on the project. Several Commission Members, Kathy, Sally, and Karen, also spoke during the meeting, which gave the Selectmen and the RHA a better idea of what The Commission wanted. The Commission and RHA left the meeting after the business was concluded at 9:30 PM. Clay Jones joined in for the remainder of the meeting. The Commission discussed the meeting. The RHA's next meeting will be held on the first Monday of November. The RHA always holds their meetings on the first Monday of the month. The Commission would like to try to get the consultants in before the RHA meeting in November. Wilbar spoke about saving history, and how the interior of the house is not The Commission's concern. Clay provided his opinion, that there is not too much of the interior left. However, the exterior should be saved, which includes restoring the front door and its sidelights. He added that during the LIP process is the most appropriate time for The Commission to have the deed restriction added, and that it should be tied to the LIP process. The Commission believes that the consultants should have a site visit. The next meeting should be November 18, 2005. Clay added that Mark Hall might be a good resource, because he does historic renovations and can provide estimates for the renovation. It was brought up to get Mass Historic involved, and to check to see if Chris Skelly has seen Mass Historic intervene on a HUD project. Roberta added that Les Brown has worked on the project for a day. Next meeting will be November 25, 2005 in order to fit in a site visit. The Commission will try to get Mark Hall and Les Brown for the site visit. Virginia and Roberta will arrange the site visit. Miscellaneous: 114 Pleasant was recently sold and may be torn down. Reviewed the letter to Town Counsel, in response to their interpretation of the Demolition Delay Bylaw. Kathy will finish the letter. Virginia passed out letters about the dismissal of the lawsuit against the Town, and the then members of The Commission, Louise Sandberg, Clay Jones, Wilbar Hoxie, Virginia Adams, and Roberta Sullivan. Adjourned 10:30 PM h,y C. C. C.:<1 G s ms's RHC Minutes Rhel0042005.doc Page 1 of 1