HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-24 Historical Commission MinutesN OFR
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2016-01-24 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall
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TOWN CLERK
REt;DiNG, MASS.
1011 FEB 13 P 12: 44 i
Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Hearing for 79-81 Salem St Version: Final
and General Business Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Ron Weston (RW) - Acting Chair
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS)- Secretary
Virginia Adams (VA) - Associate
Jonathan Barnes (JEB) - Treasurer
Jack Williams (JW) - Member
Members - Not Present:
Carl Mittnight
Others Present:
Samantha Couture (SC)
Richard Stuart; (RS) property owner
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
7:30 pm Public Demolition Delay Hearing for 79-81 Salem St - SRS was acting chair
for the hearing and VA was appointed a voting member for the meeting. This hearing was
recorded by RCTV. The Hearing began at 7:30 with reading of the public notice by RW
followed by the introduction by SRS and introduction of RHC members. VA provided those
in attendance with a brief history of the structure. RS gave a brief presentation but did not
have any concrete details as to what he planned to build on the property after the historic
home was demolished. He just wanted to begin the process. RS stated that the home
would not be demolished until he knew he could build a new structure, as he planned to go
to the ZBA regarding his future plans. The group discussed the situation and considered
continuing the hearing until the applicant had sufficient information. Due to the restrictive
nature of the by-law timeline requirements, the extra few weeks would not be enough for
the applicant to fulfill that commitment. JW moved that the presented information is
sufficient to make a final determination on the requested demolition of the structure at 79-
81 Salem St and that the Public Hearing be closed. JEB seconded. Vote 5-0. JW then
moved that the loss of the structure at 79-81 Salem St would be detrimental to the Town
under the purposes of this bylaw (7.2.1) and that a Demolition Delay of up to six (6)
months be imposed beginning on this date January 24, 2107. JEB seconded this motion.
Vote 5-0. SRS agreed to contact the building Inspector to notify him of the imposed delay.
287 Ash St - Demolition Application accepted 1/24 was distributed to members. RHC
discussed dates for hearing considering the very few options available due to the restrictions
of the by-law. The applicant will be contacted 1/25 with hopes of determining a date the
third week of February. SRS will contact applicant and arrange for hearing.
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Membership - SC was interviewed and expects to be granted associate membership by the
Board of Selectman soon. After she is sworn in she will be an official member. Katie
Matathia, who was considering membership, wrote the commission that she wishes to defer
pursuing this commitment to some future date when she has more flexibility in her
schedule.
Rules & Regulations - Thanks to the hard work of JEB the RHC is getting closer to
finalizing R&R. JEB will contact the building inspector with some questions after which time
he will update the draft and present to RHC for consideration. Once finalized RHC must
begin the process of officially adopting the R&R with a public hearing.
Outbuildings - Based on the research and dedicated efforts of RW, the RHC discussed and agreed
to update the List of Historical Structures to include 13 specific outbuildings from the Town of Reading
Historical and Architectural Inventory. RW moved that the updated "Property List" be submitted to the
Building Inspector and to the Town as amended. JEB seconded. Vote: 5-0. RW will submit the
"Property List" to Julie Mercier. The RHC's "Property List" is considered a "living document". Future
updates can/will be made to note other specific outbuildings from the Historical and Architectural
Inventory and referenced and included on an Inventory Form B that are deemed important by the RHC, or
to track future demolitions or changes in current use.
228 Woburn St - Several RHC members toured the property at an Open house. VA
mentioned that the RHC should consider giving a preservation award to owner for the
impressive job done restoring the property.
Finances - SRS moved that we pay up to $75.00 to purchase heavyduty 3 ring binders for
the newly printed Inventory lists. RW seconded. Vote 5-0. SRS moved to reimburse VA
for $2.24 to cover cost of photos of 228 Woburn St. JEB seconded. Vote 5-0.
Next Meeting - February 7, 2017 at 7 pm
Adjourn at 9:50pm
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