HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-13 Historical Commission MinutesUTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
TO N C ERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
EADING, MASS.
Historical Commission May 13, 2014 1014 JUL 31 P 1p 21
Date: 2014 -05 -13 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Regularly scheduled meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair: Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS)
Treasurer: Roberta Sullivan (RS)
Secretary: Carl Mittnight (CM)
Robyn Parker (RP)
Nancy Kohl (NK)
Virginia Adams (VA)
Sally Hilgendorff (SH)
Members - Not Present:
none
Others Present:
Representative, Haven Properties, LLC (MF Charles Bldg)
Italo Visco, LCB Senior Living (re: 75 Charles St)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carl Mittnight
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting
Reviewed meeting minutes for April 8; Approved as amended
File with clerk
CM
Minutes
Budget
1. Elena Dube paid $50 for data entry services.
2. VA paid for ex enses approved at the 4/8 meting.
Archives
1. Continued to file newly arrived items with corresponding
2. Send correction
CM
updates to the RHC database.
to MACRIS
2. Address change for 8 Back Bay Court sent with
erroneous information to MACRIS.
Plaquing
CM researched Markarian Sign in Wakefield, who does
VA and CM will
CM, VA
Program
historic home plaques for Lynnfield, and found they could
visit Markarian to
make signage for between $50 and $100.
discuss design
RHC discussed size and fell that a 8" by 10" oval was
and see if a
appropriate. House - shaped signs were suggested and then,
sample could be
after discussion, rejected by consensus.
made.
As a cost saving measure, the RHC could have plaques
made with "Reading Historical Commission" written on them
and just have the date added whenever a plaque is ordered
by a resident. This will depend on the sign company.
The RHC approved a measure to allow up to $200 to be
sent on a sample plaque.
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MF Charles
1. Representatives from Haven Properties, LLC presented
Draft and send a
CM
Building
new fencing to be place around roof top equipment.
letter informing
After discussion is was suggested that the fencing would
CPDC of RHC
only increase the profile of the equipment and, instead,
suggestion.
painting them to match the clerestory (dark green/black)
would present less of a profile than the fencing.
2. Representatives also asked RHC if more photos of the
building could be copied from the Town archives. A
meeting will be scheduled after the meeting, via email.
Historic
CM had communicated with a representative of the Old
Develop wording
CM, VA
Preservation
South Church about awarding them a RHC preservation
and get a sample
Month
award and have not heard back. VA and CM with research
for review at next
options and wording for plagues for the award.
RHC meeting
75 Pearl
The RHC met with the new developer of the property, 1-CS
1. RHC reps
RS, VA,
Street
Senior Living, Italo Vasco, Dir. of Development presented
attend
CM
plans for re- opening of the front entrance, not used by the
upcoming ZAC
previous occupant.
meeting on
Concerns over 40 foot walkway covered with a canopy would
5115/14, and
obscure the brick detail surrounding the door. In addition,
CPDC meeting
grade level changes would cover the existing front steps and
on 5/19/14.
also obscure the basement windows from view.
2. Draft and send
The transom over the door would be removed and stored.
a letter
Transom needs to be removed so that the 40 foot walkway
informing
can lead up and into the building with no stairs. And
CPDC of RHC
handicapped parking spaces would also be place in the front
suggestions.
of the building for visitor parking.
The main sticking point is how the canopy obscures the brick
detailing surrounding the door. Can a lower profile or small
canoov be used instead?
494 Summer
Inquiry by Ruth Clay on landscaping; RHC responded.
Avenue
249 Forest
In communication with owners re: inquiry; RHC responded.
Street
379 Haverhill
This home is up for sale and the Realtor was agreeable to
Street
proving RHC members a lour.
Zoning
VA attended the last Zoning Advisory Council (ZAC) where
Advisory
the bylaws regarding accessory apartments was discussed.
Council
The Carriage House Bylaw was not included in the
(ZAC)
discussions. The Town of Reading may model these bylaws
after the Town of Lexington.
RHC Rules
The RHC reviewed the updated RHC Rules and Regulations
Contact Town of
CM
and
and were in agreement with the changes.
Reading Council
Regulations
However, additional research must be done on the viability of
and:
allowing associate RHC members to vote in place of full
1. Determine if
members when there are not enough full members to have a
the issue
quorum.
mentioned in
Additionally, the process for adopting the RHC Rules and
the discussion
Regulations was unclear and needed to be researched
is legal and
before RHC can approve the Rules and Regulations.
permissible.
2. Find out the
process for
adopting
Commission
Rules and
Regulations in
the Town of
Reading.
Ad oumed
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 pm.
Next Meeting
Tuesda , June 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm
I
All
Copies of referenced correspondence and documents are kept in Meeting Minutes binder and relevant project
folders located in the Readinn Historical Commission Archives lower level of the Reading Town Hall
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