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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-08 Historical Commission Minutesy0 e Town of Reading A Meeting Minutes ; 9 RECEIVED TOWN CLERK LADING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission September 8, 2014 1914 SEP I l P b, 25' Date: 2014 -09 -08 Time: 7:00 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: Sally Hilgendorff (SH) Secretary: Carl Mittnight (CM) Robyn Parker (RP) Nancy Kohl INK) Virginia Adams (VA) Jonathan Barnes (JB) Ron Weston (RW) Members - Not Present: none Others Present: Debbie Shontz - Stackpole, Mary Bishop, Robert F. Littleton, Jr., Marc Maxwell, John Williams, Christopher Coleman, Dan Ensminger, Jessica Dougherty, Bobbie Botticelll, Ray McHugh, Karen Herrick Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carl Mittnight Topics of Discussion: Call to Be mber 8, 2014 at 7:07 m. meeting minutes; Appr oved as amended for meeting held File with clerk CM Minutewed u ust 12 2014 and Au ust 26 201Bud adate. Archiv 7tembe date. 18e S Maxwell, representing the applicant, presented and reviewed Avenuesigns for the preservation of the home and barn at 186 Design mer Avenue, in addition to the construction of a breezeway and Revieture behind the existing home. He said that the downstairs layout of the home would remain the same except for removal of the bathroom and updating the kitchen. In addition, he said that the interior walls would need to be cut into to bring the building up to all codes and structural updates to better support the building. The barn updates would be a phase two and that building used for records storage, and no designs for the barn were presented or reviewed at this time. Mr. Maxwell represented that all items listed as important to preserve, in the 8/18114 letter sent by the RHC to Criterion, were included for preservation in the plans presented at this Page I I 186 Summer meeting. Marc also mentioned that Criterion would honor the six - Avenue month demolition delay period, using the time for planning and for Design arranging the finances to begin this project. Finally, RW indicated Review - that since the bent is considered "phase two ", the RHC would want continued assurances that it would continue to be earmarked for preservation. Membership The town requires updated information on each member of the RHC and provided forms to be completed by each. The RHC took this opportunity to vote on position held by members. The votes approved SRS as Chair, SH as Treasurer, and CM as Secretary. 186 Summer The RHC discussed the design review. Avenue In addition, a letter, to be written to the current owner of 186 Summer Avenue, Debra ShontzStackpole, was reviewed. The letter is part of the RHC's responsibility to work with the owner on altematives to selling the property to Criterion. As it is RHC's view that preserving the structures on the site for residential use within that neighborhood setting would best serve the Town's and that neighborhood's historic values and interests, the RHC felt itself duty-bound to provide the owner with a list of alternatives that allow for such continued residential use should the owner have that flexibility. Finally, the RHC discussed a request from Bobbie Bodicelli, one of the realtors involved with the 186 Summer Avenue sale. She had asked the RHC to publish an article or letter to minimize the bad press regarding her client, Debra Shontz- Stackpole. It was determined that the RHC's responsibility lies in adhering to the Demolition Delay Bylaw and not to weigh in on, or participate in, the public debate over the sale of 186 Summer Avenue, its owner, or Criterion Child Enrichment. 163 -167 The RHC reviewed the hearing agenda. VA presented the South Street historical elements of the buildin . 119 Salem The RHC reviewed the hearing agenda. VA presented the Street historical elements of the building. Plaquing CM contacted Markarian Sign Company about producing a sample Follow up CM Program plaque bearing "Circa ", the year the home was built, and "Reading Historical Pro e " 75 Pearl SRS amailed halo Visco regarding RHC acceptance of canopy and Street canopy lighting design. SRS also suggested that landscaping could enhance the cano and ramD entrance. 96 John St. A Demolition Permit is will be filed for the bam on the pro2eq. 51 Grove The owner wished to meet with the RHC regarding hardships she is Street having in selling her property given that it is on the Inventory of Historic Homes. 13 Eliot The William Willis home, circa 1816, owners contacted the RHC Street saying that they have lovingly restored the home and will be selling soon. They want to sell to someone who has the same point of view regarding restoring and maintaining older homes. At Wood End Can the RHC sell the book to The Paper Store for $18 (cost) and Pollow up with CM book allow them to sell at $25 and keep the profits? The Celebration Celebration Trust Committee funded the book and should be consulted. Trust Committee Atl oumed The meeting ad'oumed at 10:12 pm. Next Meeting Demolition Delay Bylaw Hearings for September 15, 2014, 2014 at 7pm: • 163 -167 South Street a 119 Salem Street Next Meeting (ember 15, 2014, 2014 if time allows after 7 m hearings. Copies of referenced correspondence and documents are kept in Meeting Minutes binder and relevant project folders located in the Readin Historical Commission Archives, lower level of the Reading Town Hall Preservation only works when we remember it is all about: People — Planning — Partnerships — Politics. Page 1 2