HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-16 Historical Commission Minutes r Town of Reading _ r C L I Yd c L)
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Historical Commission
Date: 10/16/19 Time: 7 pm
Building: Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open
Purpose: General Business Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virginia Adams (Associate/Acting Member)- VA
Jonathan Barnes (Chair)- JEB
Pino D'Orazio (Associate Member) - PD
Amelia Freedman (Associate Member) - AF
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (Member/Acting Secretary)- SRS
Ron Weston (Member)- RW
Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW
Members Not Present: Samantha Couture
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
The meeting was called to order at 7pm.
Due to the absence of 1 voting member JEB appointed VA as voting member for this
meeting.
Topics of Discussion
• 119 Salem Street - Both condos have been sold.
P 79-81 Salem Street - There is a fence around the property but the house remains
standing.
Postmark Square - VA spoke with Tom Connery and learned that the whole basement
Floor had to be removed to put in the drainage.
• 186 Summer Ave - The HDC received a letter from Kathy Greenfield in the name of the
local residents who see the fence as a non-conforming fence that has been there too
long. The HDC will be meeting to discuss.
20-24 Gould Street (Community Event Space) - JEB and JW met with Dave Traggorth
and Jennifer Peters a design consultant regarding plans and historic materials for the
space. The space will be 12x14 sf on the first floor with windows to the street; access to
the room will be from the lobby. Pictures of the materials owned by Newt Spurr (NS)
were also shared. Group discussed the machines currently in NS possession that he
may donate. If NS is willing to donate the items to the RHC the RHC discussed loaning
them to the project. JEB had spoken with NS about this, and NS expressed his desire to
donate the materials.
• 24 Grove Street - New home is nearing completion.
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rx Town of Reading
o eeting Minutes
• 409 Grove Street - Remains on the market.
• Schoolhouse Condominiums - RW will check photos of property before the fire to see
if all of the fans/vents on the roof were there. The new fans/vents may not be in
compliance with the deed restrictions.
• Town Archives — Preservation Assessment - JEB met with SC regarding the email
she sent out. RHC members to review document prior to next meeting.
• Finances
0 JEB submitted the receipt for the canopy.
• New Business
0 There has been an inquiry regarding Warren Manning and a map he created.
0 RW spoke about the property list revisions including notes on residences
demolished and replacements. JW moved to accept Ron's list as presented
with the addition of a designation on which properties have a deed
restrictions.
0 Discover Arts Reading event on October 5 was successful although not as
highly attended as the Garden Club event earlier in the year. RHC discussed
whether we should continue having booths at town events. Most members
felt it is good PR, acknowledging that most of the work for these events is
being done by VA. Discussed importance of being involved with such events
and balancing the work load.
0 JEB mentioned Grant offered by Mass Historical for preservation. JEB will
check in with SC when she is available.
o JEB mentioned a conversation with Andy Freidman about what a resident can
do to protect their properties from future demolition. Options: put on the
inventory, create it as a Historic District, preservation deed restriction with
the RHC as a party, private deed restriction. In general the group felt that we
should support a resident's request that their property be considered for
addition to the inventory. If RHC places such property on the Inventory and
the owner wishes to add a deed restriction, Mass Historical will be consulted
and the request considered.
0 Scrap book email that SC will deal with
o The Maughans, whose property at 263 Woburn Street is on the Historic
Property List, have asked for a plaque and theirs is the only current request.
JEB has submitted the request to Markarian Sign Co. and they will produce
the plaque.
• Next Meeting Date: November 13`h, 7pm
• Motion to adjourn at 8:40 pm made by RW, seconded by JW. Vote: 5-0 in favor
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