HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-08 Historic District Commission Minutes0e Ri
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historic District Commission
Date: 2015 -06 -08
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
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Location: Conference Room
Session:
Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Greg
Maganzini
Members - Not Present:
Ilene Bornstein
Others Present:
Kate Tigelaar, 160 Summer Avenue
MaryEllen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:04 pm.
Mr. Blodgett stated the property at 186 Summer Avenue will not be discussed at tonight's
meeting. Mrs. Adams questioned if the Commission could discuss a Certificate of Hardship
application in general terms. Mr. Blodgett answered he would like to hold off on discussing a
Certificate of Hardship until the next meeting.
Ms. O'Neill asked if the Town could investigate and see if other Historic communities have
experience with an applicant who files for a Certificate of Hardship.
Mr. Blodgett asked if the Town would issue ID badges to the Commission. This will help identify
the members when they have to do property inspections. Mr. Blodgett will follow up with
Public Services Department.
Mr. Blodgett introduced the applicant from 160 Summer Avenue. Ms. Tigelaar said she just
purchased the house, and is committed to maintaining the integrity of the house. She has a
young child and a dog; she would like to install 2 fences for safety reasons. She is also asking
for approval to replace one fence that fell over during a storm. She researched fences and
would like to install a vinyl fence with a matte finish.
The Commission discussed the fence location(s) and the type. They explained a natural product
would be better for the section seen from the street.
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Mr. Blodgett explained the process of the Commission. After a discussion, the Commission
agreed to waive the public hearing but told the applicant the abutters will have to be notified.
Motion made by Mrs. Adams to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to the property at 160
Summer Avenue for the construction of 3 segments of fencing. Due to the application being
an insubstantial impact on the neighborhood the Commission will waive the public hearing
under 7.3.7.5. Ms. Poehler seconded. The vote was 4 -0 -0.
Mr. Blodgett requested copies of the previous minutes. He will pick them up at the Town Hall.
Ms. Poehler said she listened to the recording of the public hearing on the 186 Summer Avenue
property. She sent a letter to Mr. Blodgett stating this.
Mr. Blodgett summarized the meeting with Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Delios and Ms. Wilson.
Mr. Blodgett commented on the following properties:
• Shrubbery and fountain being installed at the Wisteria Lodge property
• 178 West requested a new roof. He issued a Certificate of Non Applicability
• 237 West Street replacement of porch & deck. He issued a Certificate of Non
Applicability to replace with same material and architectural features
• 149 West Street requested approval of a large 20x24 deck. He did a site visit with Mrs.
Adams. He worked with the applicant to drop down the height and to square it off. This
will make it not so visible from the street. As of the last conversation with owner, the
project is now on hold.
Mrs. Adams asked her email that the Town setup be double checked. She has not been getting
them.
Mrs. Adams reminded the Commission, at the fiscal year the officers will need to be re- elected.
Mr. Blodgett stated the following:
• The signs for the Summer Avenue Historic District have been ordered. He will schedule
a meeting at Summer Avenue to discuss where they should be placed.
• The Commission needs to send out brochures to the West Street and Summer Avenue
Historic District properties.
• He would like to discuss how the Commission is set up. Suggested maybe one member
responsible for roofing, another responsible for siding etc.
• A notebook with the picture of the Summer Avenue Historic District properties and
description should be setup.
A motion was made by Ms. Adams to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
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