HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-15 Historical Commission Minutes Town of Reading RECEIVED
z Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
READING, fAR.
Board - committee - commission - council: SEP 18 AM IOt 31
Historical Commission
Date: 8/15/18 Time: 7:00 pm
Building: Town Hall Location: conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell St Session:
Purpose: General Business Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virginia Adams (Associate)- VA
Samantha Couture (Secretary)- SC
Amelia Freedman (Associate)- AF
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (Member)- SRS
Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW
Members- Not Present:
Jonathan Barnes
Pino D'Orazio
Ron Weston
Others Present:
Carl Mittnight -CM
Scott Wolf -SW
Paul Pustorino -PP
V Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha Couture
Topics of Discussion:
SRS is acting as chair in the absence of Jonathan Barnes..
SRS appointed VA and AF voting members for the duration of the meeting.
Schoolhouse Condominium, 52 Sanborn Street
SW, manager, and PP condo owner of the Old Reading Schoolhouse Condominium Trust (52
Sanborn Street) presented plans to add a window. The window would mirror one on the side
of a group of windows, and would provide light and ventilation to a bathroom.
Preservation Restrictions on 52 Sanborn were attached to the deed in 1989. VA read from
the restrictions. Any window replacements must exactly match existing windows. The
restriction doesn't seem to allow for new windows to be added where there were none in the
original construction. The restrictions would need to be amended by the Select Board o.
SW will be contacting the trust attorney to review the restrictions to see if it is worthwhile to
try to change them to allow for this new window.
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The following motion was made by JW and seconded by SC
The RHC supports the owner's wish to add a window to the first floor on the Sanborn
Street side that would match the corresponding window exactly, as they Investigate
the preservation restriction on the deed.
Vote 5-0 in favor.
Demolition Delays
79-81 Salem Street:
The new owner has submitted an application, which is still incomplete. Amanda Beatrice has
been In contact with the owner.
119 Salem Street:
House is still standing.
24 Grove Street
The barn and 2 additions have been taken down, by order of an emergency demolition
permit.
Finances
Nothing to report.
Arts Reading
RHC received a membership request from Arts Reading. The cost is $50.00.
The following motion was made by SRS and seconded by JW.
The RHC will pay $50.00 toward annual membership in Arts Reading.
Vote: 5-0 in favor.
375th Celebration Workshops
The Reading Public Library will be hosting workshops on family history and preservation of
family papers in April of 2019 as part of the Preservation Assessment Grant.
New Business
47 Mount Vernon:
VA researched street lists, valuation books, and maps. She compiled her findings and sent
them to the owner. VA will rewrite an older handout giving instructions on researching the
history of a home.
WWI Exhibit:
VA wants to have the exhibit ready by the end of September. She has identified many
letters from soldiers published in the Reading Chronicle during WWI. She suggested having
the letters read aloud and recorded as part of the exhibit. SC will check with RPL to see if
there is some way to present the audio to the public. NEDCC will scan and SC will find a
place to make a reproduction of the poster that will be a part of the exhibit. VA has a WWI
helmet for the exhibit. She is also looking for`trench art' -art objects made from artillery
shells by WWI soldiers.
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At Wood End
RHC agreed to keep the price of`At Wood End' at the current cost of $25.00 until the 375th
celebration. SC will let Everett Blodgett know.
Minutes 7/11/18
A motion was made by JW to accept the minutes of the 7/11/18 meeting as
submitted by SC. SRS seconded the motion.
Vote- 5-0 in favor.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, 9/12/18, at 7pm.
Motion to adjourn by JW, seconded by AF. Vote- 5-0 in favor.
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