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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-29 West Street Historic District Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2683 Phone: 781 - 942 -6654 Fax: 781 - 942 -9071 Email: mschloth &i reading.ma.us West Street Historic District Commission WSHDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: March 29, 2010 Location: Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Time: 7:00 PM Members Present: Richard Schubert, Chair; Steve O'Shea, Vice - Chair; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, and Everett Blodgett Also Present: Michael Schloth, Recording Secretary Mr. Greg Maganzini, 168 West Street There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM The Recording Secretary reported that he had forgotten to post the meeting of 3/24/2010 with the Town Clerk and therefore all actions taken by the Commission at that meeting are null and void. Aside from voting to continue the meeting to tonight, the only action the Commission had taken on 3/24/2010 was to vote unanimously that: 1) the work proposed fell under the Commission's jurisdiction and therefore required a Certificate of Appropriateness,'and 2) the requirement for holding a public hearing before issuing the Certificate of Appropriateness should be waived. 168 West St The applicant, Mr. Maganzini, was present. The consensus of the Commission was that the previous discussion of 168 West Street, recorded in the minutes of the 3/24/2010 should be referenced in the minutes of this meeting. After a brief review of Mr. Maganzini's application, Mr. Blodgett moved the Commission find the propsed work falls under the Commission's jurisdiction and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. O'Shea seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Mr. Maganzini had decided not replace the double -hung windows on the porch (north and west side) with casement windows. Instead, he proposed to use slider windows. The Commission had no issues with this change. Ms. Adams moved the Commission finds the changes to be fairly inconspicuous and as such would not have much of an impact on the streetscape and therefore waives the requirement of a public hearing as per 5.18.7.5 subject to the following conditions: 1. The two skylights will be of the same make, model, and style (or very similar) as shown on the specification sheet the applicant submitted tonight. Namely: VEL UX 21.5" x 38.5 ", Umber Gray, Venting Deck Mounted Skylight. The Commission approves a smaller version of same (or similar) product if these prove too large. Page 1 of 2 W SHDC Minutes of 3/29/2010 2. The slider windows will be the same (or similar) make, model, and style as shown on the specification sheet the applicant submitted tonight. Namely: TAFCO WINDOWS 36 "x 36" Vinyl Slider w /Screen Insulated The Commission approves a smaller version of same (or similar) product if these prove too large. 3. The existing door on the south wall of the porch will be replaced with a door of the same (or similar) make, model, and style as shown on the specification sheet the applicant submitted tonight. Namely: RELIABILT 32 "Width, Full Lite, Steel Entry Door Unit. The Commission approves a smaller version of same (or similar) product if this product proves . too large, or a larger version of same (or similar) product if the building code so requires. 4. If the porch roof requires new shingles, the shingles will match as close as possible the style and color of the shingles on the roof of the main house. Ms. Poehler seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. The Commission reminded Mr. Maganzini that the abutters within 300 ft of his property must be notified of the Commission's decision and the Certificate of Appropriateness will not be officially issued until 10 days after the notice is mailed to the abutters. The recording secretary said he would write the notice, post it with the Town Clerk, and mail copies to the abutters before the end of business tomorrow (3/30/2010). Mr. Maganzini had already submitted the envelopes and postage. Other Business Minutes Ms. Adams moved the Commission approve the minutes of 10/22/2009 as amended. Mr. Blodgett seconded and the motion was carried 5:0:0. Ms. Adams moved the Commission approve the minutes of 11/10/2009 as amended. Ms. Poehler seconded and the motion was carried 5:0:0. Ms. Adams moved the Commission approve the minutes of 11/25/2009 as amended. Mr. Blodgett seconded and the motion was carried 5:0:0. Ms. Adams moved the Commission approve the minutes of 3/24/2010 as amended. Mr. Blodgett seconded and the motion was carried 5:0:0. Walk the District. The consensus of the Commission was to schedule a walk of the District some Saturday morning in May — probably 5/8 or 5/15 — and to send out a letter to District residents inviting them to join the Commission on the walk. The Chair will draft the letter. Common Construction. Ms. Adams suggested the Commission schedule time to discuss how it should approach common construction jobs it may have to review (e.g. fences, windows, shingles...). The Commission agreed and although the consensus was to schedule a meeting in April, no date was decided. Ms. Adams moved to adjourn. Mr. O'Shea seconded and the motion was carried 5:0 :0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM. Page 2 of 2 Town of Reading HEALTH DIVISION 16 Lowell Street Phone: (781) 942-9061 Reading, MA 01867 -2683 bA.:,,,,.d w ..readina.ma.us To: Peter Hechbleikner — Town Manager From: Larry Ramdin Health Services Administrator Date: April 1, 2010 RE: Creosote Complaint 129 Vest Street At your request I went to 129 West Street and identified myself to Michael Conway owner, and enquired as to the nature of his complaint; he advised that it had to do with creosote leaking from a chimney into the house; accompanying me was Glen Redmond Building Inspector. Observations and notes are as follows: • The owner has been occupying the building for the past nine (9) years • The Chimney in question is not in use and has not been used by Mr. Conway since his ownership of the home There is no heat source attached to the chimney and is does not serve any venting purpose • Leaves were observed in the chimney cleanout port in the basement • Leaking of black .material onto walk -in closet walls in master bedroom adjacent to chimney home owner claims to be creosote • Home owner sees no value in cleaning chimney to remove buildup as it is not in active use Conclusions Creosote leak from chimney does not constitute a Public Health Emergency per Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code. The leaking material is secondary to leaking roof and can be resolved by repairing roof and cleaning the chimney. The chimney is not in use and the spaces can allow for the harborage of pests and allow for the infiltration of moisture into the building and if possible should be removed. cc Board of Health Building Inspector. Jean Delios- Director of Community Services/.Town Planner