1996-05-06 Historical Commission Minutes

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Minutes Reading Historical Commission May 6,1996 Meeting convened at 7:45 PM. Regular Members present: Virginia Adams, Ed Palmer, David O'Sullivan, Roberta Sullivan Associate members present: Colonel Wilbar Hoxie, Gladys Montgomery Jones, Louise Sandberg Minutes recorded by Gladys Montgomery Jones. Approval of Minutes: Virginia moved and Ed seconded that the minutes of April 15 and April 29 be accepted with a correction to 100 people attending the Patriot's pay Celebration in the latter. Approved 4-0-0. Treasurer's Report: Roberta reported bills of $10 from A&A Printing for the Patriot's Day program, $7.88 from Redstone Camera for processing rolls of film. Ed moved and David seconded motion to pay these. Approved 4-0-0. They will be paid from the main account in which there is a current balance of $295.46. The special account contains $87.25. Roberta pointed out an inaccuracy in the Bandstand letter, page 2, paragraph 2: the bandstand was moved off the Common in 1930; Gladys to make the correction. David reported that the presentation of the State Preservation Sehoo to Longwood Place for the Pearl Street School project will take place May 22; he will convey invitation to the Selectmen and Town Manager. Randy Collins of Gates, Leighton, Downtown Revitalization Consultants, presented and discussed plans with the Commission. Phase I is to work with traffic engineers to improve vehicular and pedestrian facilities. Phase II is site improvement for aesthetics and amenities with the goal of making the downtown an easier and more attractive place in which to shop. Town has hired an economic facilitator to help with Phase II. Current focus is Haven Street and upper Main Street between Lowell/Salem and Washington Streets. Among those items noted in the plans are conversion of Lowell Street to a southbound one-way; • narrowing of Pleasant Street crossing to be more pedestrian-friendly; conversion of Pleasan Street to westbound one-way; • an apron in front of APrinting and a closed curb cut in front of Anton's; • development of a lot behind Reading Auto;