HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-08 Historical Commission Minutesr OFR
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission 1911 APR I I P t-. 10411
Date: 2017-03-08 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Meeting Version: Final
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
Samatha Couture (SC) - Associate
Members - Not Present:
Carl Mittnight
Others Present:
Brad Latham (BL) Attorney for owner of USPS building
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
• Membership - VA was appointed as a voting member by acting chair, RW. Samantha
was sworn in before the hearing on February 14, 2017.
• 79-81 Salem St - Developer has not responded to RHC
• 287 Ash St - Delay was not imposed at the February 14th hearing.
• Post Office Redevelopment Project - Brad Latham attended to answer any questions
the RHC might have on the project. RW de -briefed the DRT meeting and explained that
the impending CPDC meeting would likely be postponed. Not sure if it will be
rescheduled before the project is closer to a final plan. BL agreed. MHC has submitted a
letter stating that the project must be scaled down prior to getting MHC approval. RW
asked if the project was being revised. BL shared that, amongst other things, MHC asked
that the top floors be moved back further from the front of the Post Office fagade. The
architects are revisiting the building features. BL stated that they had spoken with MHC,
whose approval for the project is required according to the protective covenant. MHC
and developer are working together to revise. RHC will be updated. RHC will monitor
progress. RW and JEB were summoned to Town Hall to meet with John Halsey, Chairman
of the Board of Selectmen, Jean Delios, Assistant Town Manager, and Andrew Corona,
Economic Development Director regarding the project.
• Rules & Regulations - The 2/18/17 version was endorsed and approved by the RHC
who will move ahead with implementation process.
• Historic Inventory and Property List - reviewed status of list. Future updating will
occur primarily to capture "Demolitions" and "Changes in Use".
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• Finances - JEB has submitted the expenses previously approved.
• Minutes - JW motioned to approve the minutes from February 7th General Meeting as
amended, RW seconded, Vote 5-0. RW motioned to approve the minutes from the Public
Hearing held on February 14th as amended. JEB seconded, Vote 5-0.
• New Business
o Annual Report was composed by JW and submitted.
o Discussed Garden Club booth on May 20.
• Next Meeting - April 5, 2017 at 7 pm.
Adjourn at 9:30 pm
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