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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
West Street Historic District
Date: 2013 -11 -18
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 07:00 PM
RECEIVED
[OWN CLERK
; NG, MASS.
Location: Berger Room 1014 APR -8 A 1: 50
Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Ilene Bornstein, Priscilla Poehler, Virginia
Adams
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Ellen & Ron Howland, 136 Walnut Street
Lauren Houde, 265 West Street
Ben Howland, 265 West Street
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
There being a quorum, Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing. The applicant's were
not present when the public hearing was opened. The Commission took up other
agenda items.
Motion made by Ms. Adams to approve September 23, 2013 meeting
minutes, as amended. Ms. Bornstein seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
The applicants arrived. Mr. Blodgett continued the public hearing by reading the
purpose of the West Street Historic District.
The applicant stated there were no changes to the presentation. The drawings
submitted on October 28, 2013 are the current ones. The windows and trim will
match the house, but will be vinyl. The garage will have a rough attic, but the space
will not be live -able. The Commission discussed the application and reviewed why
the hearing was necessary. Mr. Blodgett stated there were no comments from any
abutters. They requested the garage door be carriage house doors; nothing modern.
The garage door location was discussed.
Motion made by Mr. Blodgett to close the public hearing. Ms. Adams
seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Motion made by Ms. Adams to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
newly received plans which were modified under 7.3.8.2 per the discussion
and requirements.
It was asked any changes the applicant would have to come back to the
Commission. The applicant stated the project might be started in the spring.
Ms. Bornstein questioned if the Commission has heard from the owners at 252 West
Street. Mr. Blodgett stated he hasn't, but will call again and let them know the
decision the Commission agreed upon.
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Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to approve the October 28, 2013 minutes as
amended. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Mr. Blodgett let the Commission members know that he spoke to DPW and
Engineering regarding the signs for the District. Mr. Zambouras will check to see
where the signs will be stored during the winter. The signs will be up during the West
Street construction.
Mr. Blodgett talked to the Commission about the plans he received from Mass. Dept.
of Transportation regarding the West Street construction. There is a concern the 2
trees in front of 86 West Street will be removed during the construction. The State
will also be responsible for the maintenance of the stone wall. Mr. Blodgett will let
the new owners of 86 West Street know.
Mr. Blodgett passed out a letter dated 02/14/09 that the Community Services
Department found regarding a fence for the property at 168 West Street. The
Commission discussed this and was not sure why the letter was written by the
Chairman; the Town Bylaw had language about the material of a fence. The owner
signed and returned the letter 05/30/09. They will keep it for their files.
Mr. Blodgett discussed "remote participation" that was approved by the Town. The
Town is giving it a trial basis of 6 months.
240 West Street - the Commission talked about the history of this property and a
scenario on how the "old part" of the building might have been created.
The Commission discussed having a tour on West Street before the construction
work begins.
It was asked that the Commission members look at the old Town website to see if
anything should be moved to the new Town website.
Ms. Saunders will let the Community Services Department know that CPDC and
Historical both need to be notified when there is a public hearing for the West Street
Historic District Commission. It was suggested that the public hearing notice has a
carbon copy (cc:) to CPDC and Historical.
129 West Street - the Commission talked about this property. The owners did work
on the exterior of their house without submitting an application to them. They
discussed their options of enforcing work being done without a permit. They agreed
a letter is necessary to homeowners if this is done. Mr. Blodgett will edit the drafted
letter the Commission discussed. If and how a fine can be issued by the Commission
was also discussed. Mr. Blodgett will look into what Chapter 40 means on the letter
the Building Inspector sends out when work is being done without a permit.
A brochure was discussed and if there is funding to send to homeowners in the
District. Ms. Poehler found the original brochure that was sent out when the District
became into effect. It will be scanned and sent to the Commission members. The
Commission will discuss this brochure and the West Street walk at the next meeting.
Motion made by Ms. Poehler to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Mr. Blodgett seconded.
Vote was 4 -0 -0.
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