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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-18 Historical Commission Minutes Town of Reading eeting Minutes L K f'•� Ali A. ••,Mo ws N O NOU 18 A1410: 38 Historical Commission Date: 9/18/19 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)- VA Jonathan Barnes (Chair)- JEB Samantha Couture (Secretary)- SC Sharlene Reynolds Santos (Member)- SRS Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW Ron Weston (Member)- RW Pino D'Orazio (Associate) - PD Amelia Freedman (Associate) - AF Other Attendees: Bill Brown, Reading resident -BB Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha Couture Topics of Discussion Everett and Virginia Blodgett The Blodgetts sent JEB an E-Mail to update the RHC on sales of 'At Wood End'. They have sold 63 'At Wood End' volumes to date and will continue to sell at other town events. VA provided them with the parish history booklets for free distribution with the bundle of 'At Wood End' and 'Reading'. Memorial Park WWI Plaque BE, Reading's Veteran's Service Agent, originally proposed moving the WWI plaque from the entrance to Memorial Park to the town Common, so that all the names of Reading residents who have died while in military service would be in one location. The Memorial Park plaque lists residents who died in WWI. The plaque and stone it is mounted on were installed when Memorial Park was dedicated in 1919. Page 1 1 rq Town of Reading k eeting Minutes BB's new proposal is to have a new plaque made and installed next to the existing plaque, which honors other war veterans, on the Flagpole on the town common. Funding for the new plaque will be provided by the town manager. The new plaque will match the existing one in size and style. There was some discussion of moving the WWI memorial stone and plaque near the WWII memorial next to the Old South Church on Lowell Street. The RHC has guidelines for the commons, to guide the Select Board, who vote on any changes to the common. Motion by RW, seconded by JEB "The proposed plaque is well within the Reading Common's guidelines, we have no objections to the proposed plaque by Bill Brown and the V. Service Agent" Vote: 5-0 in favor 119 Salem Street The new building is up. VA shared photos. 79-81 Salem Street The building permits have been approved, and a construction fence is up. Postmark Square Parts of the granite stone wall have been removed for construction. JEB spoke with David O'Sullivan, who confirmed that the contractor has numbered the blocks and intends to replace them. 186 Summer Avenue Building permits for the foundation work have been approved. The hole in roof has been patched. 20-24 Gould Street Demolition has begun. JEB reported that Newt Spurr remembered a glass door with the NuAce logo etched on it. The door was recovered and may be used in the new construction. Mr. Spurr also has other potential material for the exhibit in his office on Main Street. Dave Traggorth seems ready to begin meeting to discuss the design of exhibit space. JW and JEB will attend any preliminary meetings. JW wants to meet designer, show him/her what the RHC has to contribute, and see what the designer has in mind. There was general Page 1 2 Town of Reading eeting Minutes °+a:u2oae°o agreement not to meet about designs with the whole commission until there is a well thought out, substantial proposal. -SC don't give any collections materials away The contractor sent a note to Amanda and Julie, wanting to know RHC's requirements for the site. JEB reminded him about the agreements made with David Traggorth, RHC and MHC. 24 Grove Street There is a new, large single family home being built on the site. 409 Grove Street Site Visit According to the deed restriction, the RHC may inspect and approve changes to the building and should review conditions with owners once every 3 years. Several members went for a site visit, to see the interior and exterior of the house while it is for sale. VA remembers many changes that were made to the interior when the current owners bought the property. VA noted the 'clock cove' in the dining area. There are some period details added that weren't originally there, such as the pattern of clapboard spacing. JEB took photos and will add them to the archive. He also gave the realtor a copy of the deed restriction. Schoolhouse Condominiums VA shared a photo of new structures (AC compressors) on the roofline. RW will check older photos to discuss at our October meeting. Town Archive Amanda Beatrice asked the town IT for updated Access program for our inventory database. This is one of the important to-do items on the preservation assessment. SC would like to have a plan for addressing the needs of the archive, using the assessment as a guide. Some items to tackle are as follows: computer file organizations, training on storage and handling of archival materials, a written mission statement and policies for the archive. JEB will assist with creating a statement and policies, which will be discussed by the whole commission at a later meeting. SC has ordered oversized document boxes. Page 1 3 Town of Reading eeting Minutes F4 >t�o Finances JW reported that the commission spent $750 of last year's budget. Membership Laura Gemme sent a form to all members to update commission status and contact information. New Business -VA talked about the Discover the Arts Festival on the town common, Oct. 5, 10-2. The RHC will have a booth. VA is working on display and passed around a signup sheet for the event. There was discussion about purchasing a canopy for outdoor events. Motion by SRS, seconded by JW "Allow Commission to spend up to $200 for a tent, to be used at outdoor events." Vote: 5-0 in favor -SIS photos of downtown in the past 'our built environment' -VA shared an article about the Ashland, NH depot building, which is similar to Reading's. -Chronicle -post office expansion 50 years ago -VA shared mail from Ann Marks. Ms Marks would like to know if the RHC wants material related to solid waste advisory committee, recycling fairs, etc. for the town archive. The group consensus was not to take these materials, since the info may be already there. SRS noted this is a good example of why we need a mission statement for the archive. -JEB shared a request for Historic Marker at 263 Woburn Street. Review minutes from July, 2019 Motion by JW, seconded by RW "Accept the July 10, 2019 meeting minutes as amended." Vote: 5-0 to accept Page 1 4 Town of Reading eeting Minutes The next meeting will be on October 16th at 7pm. Motion to adjourn by JW, seconded by RW Vote: 5-0 in favor Page 1 5