HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-16 West Street Historic District Commission MinutesOFR
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
i�ECEIVED
OWN CLERK
E_I",DING. MASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
West Street Historic District 1014 OCT -1 A► f= 51
Date: 2014 -09 -16 Time: 07:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Priscilla Poehler, Virginia Adams, Ilene
Bornstein, Alyssa Scaparotti
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Virginia Blodgett
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 7:OOPM
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Blodgett asked the Commission to discuss how the Summer Avenue Local Historic District
(SALHD) is going to run. He stated the District could be run by a small "body" and be by itself;
or run under the WSHDC and have two branches. Ms. Adams commented the 26 properties
could be easily handled by 1 Historic District. The Summer Avenue residents could be
encouraged to become a member or associate. The Commission can appoint associates to be
able to vote if needed. Mr. Blodgett agreed and had a concern that if there were two different
Commissions they might not be consistent. The Commission discussed and agreed they would
be the working group.
Motion made by Ms. Adams to move the current WSHDC, so named, to serve as the
Commission for the proposed local historic district. Ms. Bornstein seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0
The Commission went over the suggested language for the warrant article from Town Counsel.
The Town Bylaw was reviewed and questioned if anything is missing since the 2011
recodification. It was noted, that if another historic district is established the Town Bylaw
would need to be changed. The Commission discussed if wording should be added to the map
in regards to boundaries. There was a concern that it does not mirror the State model on
creating a local district.
Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to accept the wording of the warrant article for the
Subsequent Town Meeting presented from the suggestion of Town Counsel dated September
16, 2014. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 4 -1 -0.
Ms. Scaparotti believes the wording does not follow the Massachusetts Historic model.
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If the name of WSHDC should be changed was discussed; should it be more general? The
Commission reviewed other Town's historic district names. It was questioned, since the name
of the WSHDC is not in the Town Bylaw and only in the Rules and Regulations does it need to
seek approval at Town Meeting.
Motion made by Ms. Adams to address Town Counsel to change the name of WSHDC to
Reading Local Historic District(s ? ?) Commission in view of the fact the Commission will be
administrating multiple Districts if Summer Avenue is approved. Ms. Bornstein seconded.
Vote was 5 -0 -0.
Motion made by Mr. Blodgett to approve the minutes of September 4, 2014 as amended. Ms.
Adams seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -1.
The Commission worked on the PowerPoint presentation, with assistance from Mrs. Blodgett,
for the September 17th Question and Answer Session
A motion was made by Ms. Adams to adjourn at 9:04PM. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 4-
0-0. — (Ms. Bornstein left before adjourned)
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