HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-31 Historical Commission MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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TOWN CLEM
RENDING, M {SS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2017-08-31
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Z011 SEP -5 A 8 441
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Hearing & Monthly Meeting Version: Draft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jonathan Barnes (JEB) - Treasurer
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS) - Secretary
Jack Williams (JW) - Member
Samantha Couture (SC) - Member
Virginia Adams (VA) - Associate Member
Members - Not Present:
Ron Weston (RW) - Chair
Others Present:
Peter Maddan (PM), abbutter; Keith Forlizzi (KF), contractor
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
Public Hearing for 119 Salem St - Called to order at 7:30 pm by SRS who chaired the
hearing. In RW's absence, SRS appointed VA as a voting member for the purpose of this
hearing and meeting. VA read the legal notice. KF of plans for a two family town house
condo development; each with 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 bath and two car garage underneath the
back of the structure. The plans are still evolving plan to change the mudroom windows in
the front and are still considering using stones from basement for a stonewall. PM shared
that he is happy with driveway that will continue to be a shared driveway. The Plan includes
the addition of drainage as previously discussed. The preliminary schedule would probably
not be to begin until the spring of 2018. VA mentioned that the property looks in disrepair.
JW asked for a '/a -scale elevation plan prior to an early release document and landscape
design JEB moved that the presented information is sufficient to make a final determination
of the structure at 119 Salem St and that the public hearing be closed. JW seconded. Vote
5-0. JEB Moved that the loss of the structure at 119 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 August 31, 2017. JW seconded Vote 5-0.
Fall St Fair - September 10. Not enough members available on that date to help with a
table so the RHC will not have a separate display.
24 Gould St - Reviewed RW's comments discussing RW's suggestion to have the new
building incorporate design aspects of the current building. JW suggested just having a
historic display only. Also discussed whether was we need to deal with this detail at this
point in the process, but it is important to let the town know that historic structures are
important early on for the best outcome for all. JW will work on this document and send out
an update; all responses to be sent to RW. Group reviewed changes.
USPS Project - VA attended CPDC hearing meeting on August ??; mentioning letter
• submitted from the RHC and that was acknowledged.
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• Finances - VA moved to sponsor members admission expenses to the Preservation
Conference in Lowell being held Sept 22"d. ]EB seconded. Vote 5-0.
• New Business
• Preservation Restrictions Agreement (PRA) document for 186 Summer Ave - yesterday
heard about a BoS meeting on the September 5`hat 8 pm. There is some confusion as to
what the current PRA document is. The version emailed is very different from what was
agreed on by RHC & WHD
• Inquiries
o Discussed a letter received from Shanna Calahanne from Reading Co-operative
Bank (RCB) requesting info about ??????, who received a loan from RCB back in
19??
o Cherri Dubious donated a Welcome Home WWII pamphlet to the archives.
o Received a booklet from Lorraine Horn about Camp Rice Moody
• Arts Reading is having a fundraiser for the Arts @ Reading project on September 7 at the
Mandarin Reading.
Next Meeting - September 5, 2017 - 8 pm BoS with WHD to review the PRA for 186
Summer Ave; CPDC 24 Gould St. September 11, 2017 at 8 pm, September 13, 2017 at
7 pm.
• Adjourn at 9:30 pm.
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