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Home My WebLink About2018-07-11 Historical Commission Minutes c��orNp own of Reading RECEIVED 1 eeting Minutes -i OWN CLERK o-° READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: Historical commission2ill SEP 13 AM 8: 54 Date: 7/11/2018 Time: 7pm Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street, #1 Session: Purpose: General Business meeting Version: Attendees: Members- Present: Virginia Adams (Associate)- VA Jonathan Barnes (Chair)- JEB Samantha Couture (Secretary)- SC Pino D'Orazio (Associate)- PD Amelia Freedman (Associate)- AF Sharlene Reynolds Santo (Member)- SRS Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW Ron Weston (Member)- RW Members - Not Present: None Others Present: Carl Mittnight (past member) CM Virginia and Everett Blodgett, Reading residents Brian and Frances Boyle, Reading residents Paul Scharr, Reading resident Jim Lorden (JL), owner of 24 Grove Street, Reading resident David O'Sullivan Tom Connery J Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha Couture Topics of Discussion: JEB appointed VA to be a full voting member following RW's departure from the meeting later in the evening. JEB mentioned the informational packet RW has been putting together for new and current RHC members. SRS told the group that homes on the historic inventory are available at the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System website, part of the Massachusetts Historical Commission (http://mhc-macris.net/index.htm). Page i 1 � r e ^: i ° own of Reading - seting Minutes �9�II,IOPp� • Membership RHC has two new associate members, Amelia Freedman and Pino D'Orazio. All current and new members took a few moments to introduce themselves to the group. There was discussion about how many full and associate members the RHC can have. Massachusetts state law allows up to 7 full historical commission members. Reading's Town Charter states that the Select Board shall determine the number of members. RHC currently has 5 appointed full members and 3 associate members. CM's membership in RHC has lapsed. He is Interested in becoming a full member again. JEB will look into it. • Demolition Delays 0 79-81 Salem St -no new news, house is still standing o 119 Salem St: There was a continuance at the ZBA meeting pertaining to the house going from a three family to a two family. lEB will check on the outcome. • Finances o JEB reported that RHC has $1500 available to spend this fiscal year. • Public comment period Paul Scharr, a 30 year resident of Reading had some general questions about the RHC and sources of information pertaining to his house on Mt. Vernon St. He also shared some thoughts on a project to photographically document Reading's cemetery headstones, markers and points of Interest. Discussion followed with Virginia Blodgett, a Cemetery Commission member. Brian and Frances Boyle, Reading residents, were in attendance to find out more about the RHC. • New Business Town History Everett &Virginia Blodgett made a presentation about their forthcoming book, which will be part of the Acadia series on the history of Reading. They are planning to have it for the 375th celebration in May of 2019. The group discussed how best to market this book along with "At Wood End". This book must sell at $23.99, so the Blodgett's asked that "At Wood End" remain at $25 for now and suggested that during the 375th Celebration both books be sold as a set for $45. The group agreed to discuss the Blodgett's proposal at the next meeting. Page 12 y rxe own of Reading r eeting Minutes 'a��'IMOP� 24 Grove Street Jim Lorden (JL), the new owner of this property on the List of Historic Structures, discussed his plans for 24 Grove Street with the group, providing photos and plans for renovation. He wishes to demolish the detached garage and two later additions. At this time he intends to renovate the original home, adding more space onto the back of the building. The Building Inspector had previously determined the detached garage is unsafe and ordered its emergency removal. The group discussed the implications of the demolition delay process as to JUs plans for the property, including whether or not a hearing was appropriate or required in this case. RW noted the detached garage is not on the Ust of Historic Structures and does not fall under the RHC purview. As to the other structures, discussion included the definition of "demolition" as full versus partial and how that definition applies to JL's plans, whether and when a hearing is required before RHC, and whether any alternatives are available in this case. There have been two other properties that have involved partial demolition, and in both cases the RHC required a demolition delay hearing. The general consensus was that regardless whether JUs plans constituted full or partial demolition, the demo delay bylaw requires that upon receipt of a completed Demolition Application for a structure (full or partial), the provisions of the demo delay hearing process will apply. The group further discussed the demo delay bylaw provision providing that when the Building Inspector orders emergency demolition of an unsafe or unhealthy structure, demolition may occur upon notification to the RHC Chair. JEB will follow up with the Building Inspector and JL regarding this provision and its application to the additions only. Postmark Sauare David O'Sullivan and Tom Connery presented updated plans for the stone retaining wall. The opening will be widened by 6 feet at driveway. On the corner with Sanford Street, 5' of wall will be removed for a new stairway and ramp. Overall, 22' of wall be taken out and 17' rebuilt. There will be larger window openings in some areas. Two risers will be added to the original front staircase to provide accessibility to the roof deck and front entrance. The existing brass railings will be retained. VA pointed out that the granite retaining wall predates the post office. In 1918, the original home on that site was moved. Lob's Pound Mill Update from JEB: North Reading has made a long term agreement (99 years) for water from Andover, abandoning the plan to access water through Reading's Lob's Pound Mill site. 186 Summer Street No work appears to be happening at the site. HDC decision In 2016, Building permit Issued in 2016, after reaching an agreement with the Historic District Commission (HDC). The owners may need to reapply for its permit. The group wondered if the HDC can pressure the owners to proceed. The preservation restriction calls for owner to maintain the property and gives the RHC the right to inspect the premises. Conservation work on WWI Poster Page 1 3 �y orx;b . own of Reading f; eeting Minutes �O'IMOPP� The group discussed the proposal from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) to digitize and reproduce the poster for exhibit in the Reading Public Library later this year. VA asked about encapsulation. SC will ask NEDCC for an estimate and consider the best way to store the oversized item. JW made a motion to allow up to $400.00 for a preservation digital file. JEB second. Vote: 5-0 for the motion. Minutes SRS made a motion to approve the minutes of June 13, 2018 as presented. SC second. Vote: 4-0 (RW left prior to this vote, VA voted in his place.) Reading Chronicle VA has bound copies of the Reading Chronicle, donated by the Daily Time Chronicle Office, to move to the archives. Next Meeting August 15, 2018 at 7pm JW made a motion to adjourn. SRS second. Page 14