2005-05-03 Historical Commission Minutes

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Reading Historical Commission Minutes May 3, 2005 Attending: Applicants for membership Virginia Adams - Chairperson Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie George Doucette Mark Cardono - Secretary Roberta Sullivan Mike Giguere Call to order 7:40 PM U L L ' Treasurer's Report: Members signed a warrant for the purchase of a write up on a Reading house that was in House Beautiful. Roberta requested a purchase of a new camera battery charger with batteries and a new 0,dtW6 { 9 ' Roberta made a motion to purchase a new camera battery and charger for up to $30. Mark seconded the motion. Vote 3-1-0 Town Meeting: The Carriage House Bylaw will be presented to Town Meeting this Thursday June 9, 2005. The Commission needs to show positive support of the Carriage House Bylaw. Virginia made a motion that The Commission votes to support Article 26, The Carriage House/Stable/Barn Bylaw Roberta seconded the motion. Vote 4-0-0 Miscellaneous: Tafoya will be The Commission's liaison to the Selectmen. Nancy Smithurst is being honored for 20 years of service to the Town of Reading, at the Library on May 12, 2005 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Graduation is set for June 5, 2005. The Commission can now plan the downtown walk. Guests at the meeting, George Doucette and Mike Giguere, might apply for membership/associate membership. Sally dropped off the letter she wrote that may help save the Pierce Organ Factory. Mark handed in a CD of pictures from various site visits. 420 Franklin Street: Virginia wrote up about the site visit to 420 Franklin Street. The owners will be going in front of The Conservation Commission because one of the intended building lots is of concern to The Conservation Commission. The Commission should make a presence to let The Conservation Commission know about the historic home on property. Some of The Commission members will attend The Conservation Commission's hearing. 572 Haverhill Street: Some Commission members attended a site visit at 572 Haverhill Street. The northwest corner of the house was opened for renovation. Some interesting artifacts were found as well as some interesting construction methods. In the corner, on the west wall, was the original horizontal sheathing; with beveled edges to accommodate the saltbox, and the north wall had plank construction. The information that The Commission gathered should be analyzed. West Street Local Historic District: Discussion of signage and the possibility of using some of The Commissions funds for the signage. Virginia brought in the map to be recorded, it was lacking some information. Town Counsel will take care of recording the district. Walgreens: The Commission has an article prepared for The Chronicle which is based on the site visit. A short discussion ensued about the appropriate time to submit the article. 26 Pleasant Street is to be torn down. It is a small Greek Revival and is on the 1854 map. Everett Blodgett suggested and will investigate the possibility of moving the house to the Parker Tavern land. Virginia brought up the possibility of having a plaque made for The Hamden Mansion. The Commission could pay up to $500 from documentation funds. Administrative Review Of The Site Plan Review: Virginia and Roberta attended the April 4, 2005 meeting. At the meeting, was a discussion of how to improve the design review process. The Commission needs to be notified earlier in the process. Town planner had suggested The Commission be included in the DRT meetings (Design Review Team). Pierce Organ Factory: Virginia made a draft of design guidelines. Virginia also found a Structural Engineer to review he building. He will do it for free, but he doesn't want The Commission members to tag along. Virginia met with owner and asked if The Commission can tour the building and go over his stuff. Virginia asked the owner about having the Structural Engineer look through the building. He would rather not have the. Engineer come in. He said that he found the Organ Factory on a website, where it is listed as one of the 10 most reusable properties. The Commission reviewed Virginia's design guidelines. 717 Pearl Street Barn: The owner wants to dismantle the barn and sell the materials. Roberta checked with the Building Inspector about the age of permits. The permits die in a year, so the barn will be flagged for demolition delay. 75 Pleasant Street: The Reading Housing Authority is working on a design. Depot signage: No further action. RHC Minutes Rlac05032005.doc Page 1 of 2