1997-12-08 Historical Commission Minutes

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F ? A Minutes Reading Historical Commission December 113 1997 Meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. Regular members present: Virginia Adams, Gladys Montgomery Jones, David O'Sullivan, Roberta. Sullivan Associate members present: Louise Sandberg, Alan Ulrich Guests: Peggy White, Will and Kim Finch Minutes recorded by Gladys Montgomery Jones Meeting convened at 8:15 PM. Historic Properties: A«vAPPR°`~o • 607 Main Street: Members editeethe letter releasing the demolition review. • 288 Grove Street: • Plan to get accurate measured drawings of perimeter. • Club has repaired glass in some windows. • Peggy indicated that 60% of club members live in Reading, while up to 40% of the corporate members do. • Members discussed three possible sites to which to move the house. Lot A: Wetlands have been flagged and it would be possible to parcel off the lot (southernmost corner of Club property on Grove Street, the pump station lot). According to the Town Planner and Building Inspector, the lot drops off to.the skating pond, but if water table is 2' below the cellar floor and house is set on the high point of the lot that is okay; need to check about vernal pools. Gladys related conversation with David Goodemote stating Club probably would expect $120,0004150,000 for the property. Lot B: more desirable Club lot on east side of Grove Street previously marked to be subdivided. Lot C: Town land at Grove and Strout. To check ownership: whether Town Forest or Water Department. • DeGenero would be interested in the house on the Club property, but not in locating it in his subdivision. • Virginia sent letter to David Goodemote about potential buyers. • Peter Heckenbleikner supports idea that RHC spearhead establishment of Friends' group to work on Foster-Emerson project. David: establish preservation trust fund. • Review of budget and Discussion of fees: David: Fees: engineer Mike O'Neal (N. Reading) survey $900; subdivision plan $400; filing with Conservation $600; notice of intent to Conservation $2,00043,000, architect's drawing and measurement $2,000. Make or break on project is the cost of the land to result in final sale price of $275,000-$300,000. • Funding: eligible for Mass Historical Commission grant program if owned by the Town or by a non-profit. Gladys to follow up with Goodemote and Mass Historical; deadline is January 9. • RHC can develop preservation restrictions for the deed; Gladys to follow up with John Cole about covenants program in Ipswich. Next meeting set for J A 0 . 5 , 1998. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.