1996-04-29 Historical Commission Minutes

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Minutes Reading Historical Commission April 29,1996 The meeting was 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, Alan Ulrich (in his kilt to promote the Antiquarian Society's Archibald Campbell Day at the Parker Tavern on Sunday, May 4th) The first item was a recap of the successful Patriot's Day reenactment sponsored by RHC on April 20. Four selectmen and the town manager attended opening events in the Union Street Parking lot; attendance was about 100 people, more in Memorial Park, about 20 who finished the walk. Total expenditure of $41.34 for tricorner hats and food. Members noted: - great publicity - should follow same plan for future events - vans should go along with walkers to provide water and rides for drop-outs to final destination - perhaps horse and wagon should be gotten for next year from somewhere like Smolak'Farm; Col. Hoxie recommended we investigate this now to get cost estimate - posters should go up earlier - should recognize selectmen and town manager from podium next time - possible Patriot's Day poetry-contest in the schools - separate map and tour as mailer to inventory homeowners, schools, others Thank you's to be sent to Minutemen, Chief Marchand and his daughter, Police Department, McDonald's, the Chronicle, Beth and Bruce Anderson. Gladys to do these. The State is giving Longwood Place a preservation award for its rehab of the Pearl Street School. David O'Sullivan wrote to the Board of Assessors recommending they adopt the measure to provide some tax abatements to those restoring historic properties. RHC can follow up with letters to homeowners when proposal goes before Town Meeting. Members read the letter from the Library Director and were not satisfied with the response. Gladys to draft a follow up letter indicating that RHC would assist the Director by performing spot checks in the local history room and advising that the irreplaceable negatives from the post card collection be placed in the archive maintained by the Commission. • Water is still leaking into the archive room; Virginia to follow up with Ted McIntyre. • Members to ask David whether MZO needs a thank you for the donated printer. • Streetscape consultants Gates, Leighton will meet with RHC on May 6. • Police station siting likely to be Union Street. • Damon House at 30 John Street not yet up before ZBA; Virginia to call Brad Latham. Question whether to place on state's endangered properties list. Gladys to do publicity with Chronicle for May 7 Preservation Week program, and reminded to send bandstand letter to Chronicle and call David Goodmote re the Foster house at 288 Grove Street, on the Meadowbrook Country Club property. Meeting adjourned at 9:45. Minutes recorded by Gladys Montgomery Jones. ti F.