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Board:- Committee - Commission - Council:
2010 APR 23 AM-9: 12
Historical Commission
Dater 2017)-03-07 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16.Lowell_Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: -General Business Version Final
Attendees:. Members Present:
Ron Weston (RW) - Chair
Sharlene Reynolds Santo:(SRS) - Secretary
Jonathan Barnes (JEB) _Treasurer
Jack Williams (JW) - Member
Samantha Couture (SC) - Member
Virginia.Adams (VA) - Associate'Member
Members Not Present:
Others Present:
David Traggorth (DT),
Pam Adrian (PA)- Spokesperson for Gould/Green Street Neighborhood'
l Alliance
Minutes Respectfully Submitted_By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
Called to Order at'7:00 pm in the Berger Room.
• 24 Gould St - DT updated.group on the MHC consultationprocess and reviewed most recent
materials being prepared for Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). RW read and
reiterated-RHC's requests as set forth in RHC's Preliminary Comments document sent to
CPDC and the developer on 9/4/17, with specific reference to paragraphs #3, 44,`and #6.
RHC also reviewed'comments it submitted in its letter to-MHC dated 9/2.5/17. Regarding
consideration of neighbor input (para #5 in 9/4/17 letter to CPDC), PA explained that no one
in the Gould/Green Street Neighborhood Alliance filed an appeal to CPDC's 11/6/17 decision,
and that the Alliance was resigned that the project would move forward. Given developer's
agreement to 'RHC's mitigation requests, RHC does not oppose the project. RHC discussed
the project's proposed community event space and -RHC's request, for a. prominent_and
publicly accessible interpretive-exhibit highlighting the history of the site and the Ace Art Co.
DT and RHC agreed that this exhibit would be located in the project's proposed event space.
JW will be the point person for the exhibit items. JW will interact with professional graphic
designer. A copy of these minutes will be sent to DT.. DT agreed to keep RHC updated in
future meetings.
e 136 Haven St - Nothing new. Tom Connery will arrange for time with the RHC, once
plans for the granite wall and landscape details are,further along.
• Pending demolitions:.
0 79-81 Salem Street - ownership change still pending.
o 119 Salem Street - Spring/early summer demolition-planned.
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• Demolition Delay process - Group discussed JEB's proposal for letter to any owner
following imposition of Demo-Delay. This would' be a logical follow-up instrument .to
keep the pressure.on an owner for continued dialogue with RHC, as we strive to focus
him/her on alternatives to demolition. JEB moved that such a letter be sent to each
owner as part of the demolition delay process. Vote 5-0.
• Historic House Marker Program - RHC reviewed SC's updated "Description" and
"Order Form" that have nowbeen posted on the RHC.web page.
• Design Guidelines for 4011 Projects - .RW sent letter to CPDC .expressing RHC's
interest in Design Guidelines abutting residential neighborhoods,'and asking for status of
their work.. Volunteer assistance was offered. JEB attended CPDC's first meeting on the
subject .last week. Little progress so far. JEB contributed positively to the meeting., as
did PA. CPDC will be discussing guideline at their next,meeting on March 12th
Finances - VA suggested that the RHC purchase Past Perfect- software as it is a
software commonly used in museums/archives. VA, also .suggested the RHC rejoin
PresMASS. SC offered to look into Past Perfect software. RW to evaluate the PresMASS
opportunity.
• New Business
o "Rules and Regulations" and the "Commission's Property List dated February 2. 2018",
are now posted on the RHC web page.
o VA and JEB will join the Antiquarian Society at a shared table at the upcoming "New-
Resident
NewResident Open House" event at the library on March 20th @ 5:30 PM. JW moved
that-VA be able to spend up to $100 to prepare for event. RW'seconded Vote 5-0. VA
is preparing a coupon to encourage new residents to purchase At Wood End.
o At Wood End book storage. Many boxes are being stored in the attic of the Town Hall
and that space has been requested to be-freed-up. No suggestions have been given
for other storage locations. Further inquiries on this topic, should be directed to the
Chair. Group discussed discounting-the book to $20.00 to encourage sales and agreed
to.hold the price at $25.00 for now.
o School House Condos - Being worked on.
o 94 Salem.St -.VA toured the residence at.a recent open house.
o VA mentioned an Affordable Housing Conference using historic Preservation
coming up in April.
o VA and RW responded to an inquiry regarding Thomas McKinley's home. Mr.
McKinley was commissioned to compose a piece of music for Reading's 350th
Celebration
o. Emily.Ruggles Diary's donated by. Reading resident George White to.the Reading
Public Library are:now in the Town Archives.
o Lobs Pound Mill North Reading has submitted a Home Rule Petition to the state
regarding its interest in connecting to the water supply in.either Reading or Andover.
North Reading's previous plans for this water supply connection through Reading
presented significant potentialadverse impacts on the Lob's Pound Mill historic site.
RHC has been actively monitoring and participating in this process and JEB will tryto
follow up with Reading Town Manager.
o SC updated RHC us on the library's Preservation of Documents Grant. If grant
received RHO gets time with a consultant to assess our holding. JW motioned that RHC
accept SC letter as amended committing to participate in the program. Vote 5-0.
o JW and VA plan to attend the DRT on March 14th_for a. conceptual 2-lot subdivision at
40.Grove Street.
o RW suggests that we update the RHC meeting date as shown on the Town web-site
to: "The ist or 2nd Wednesday of the month". Vote 5-0.
• Minutes - JW motioned to accept the minutes from January 18, 2018, as amended. RW
seconded. Vote 5-0.
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• Next meeting scheduled for April 4th at 7 pm.
• Adjourned at 8:55 pm.
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