1996-12-17 Historical Commission Minutes

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Minutes Reading Historical Commission December 17, 1996 The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. Regular Members present: Virginia Adams, John McCauley, Ed Palmer, David O'Sullivan, Roberta Sullivan Associate members present: Colonel Wilbur Hoxie, Gladys Montgomery Jones, Louise Sandburg, Alan Ulrich Property Owners and Guests present: • Phyllis Winkler, 167 Green Street (for 32 John Street) • Muriel MacLean, 167 Green Street (for 32 John Street) • Sandra Herlihy, 237 Ash Street (for 32 John Street) • Jerry and Marka O'Connell, 25 School Street • Nancy Twomey, 23 California Road (designer for 25 School) • Robert M. Keegan, 64 Baystate Road • Edmond Kennedy, 65 Wakefield Street • Marion Gaw, 337 Pearl Street • Mary Howard, 529 Franklin Street • Mary Lou Rand Horn, 320 West Street The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and vote upon eight properties nominated for inclusion in the Town's Inventory of Historically and Architecturally Significant properties. Owners of seven of the properties were present at the meeting. Commission Chairman David O'Sullivan introduced the Commission members and explained what listing in the inventory means, including the fact that this places properties under Reading's Demolition Review Bylaw. He noted that this was the first occasion since passage of the bylaw for properties to be added to the Inventory and described what procedures are under the bylaw. He cited 89 Main Street as an example where a property was listed in the Inventory, but the Commission declined to vote the barn `preferably preserved' which would have delayed its demolition. He said that inclusion in the Inventory was often a first step toward listing in the Massachusetts and National Registers of Historic Places. Properties were then considered and voted in turn. 25 SCHOOL STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owners Jerry and Marka O'Connell discussed plans to replace the rear ell, which they thought was not part of the original structure. They did not object to having the building on the Inventory, but were happy to proceed through the bylaw process as necessary. Virginia moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 25 School Street be added to the Inventory. 337 PEARL STREET: Virginia reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owner Marion Gaw objected to the building being added to the Inventory on the grounds that it would make it difficult to sell the property, which, she said, is on its way to falling down and requires sill work and other structural repairs. Members of the Commission pointed out that someone interested in