HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-26 Historic District Commission Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: L&
Historic District Commission All DEi 23 PM 1: 49
Date: 2019-11-26 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Meeting Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Ilene
Bornstein, Carl Mittnight
Members - Not Present:
Greg Maganzini
Amelia Freedman and Pino D'Orazio - Alternate Members
Others Present:
Susan and Bill Dudley, Stephen Callan, Anne and David Godwin
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Virginia Blodgett
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Mittnight was appointed as a voting member.
4 County Road
Mr. Blodgett gave members of the Commission copies of the Certificate of Appropriateness
which was granted for 4 County Road at the last meeting. He explained that it is important
to see how the certificates are completed.
116 West Street
The hearing for 116 West Street that was scheduled for tonight was cancelled.
Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission that the property has been sold to West Street RT
and Darrell McLean. An assignment of the application will be given to the Commission. Mr.
Blodgett said that at the last meeting permission was given to start the foundation of the
new house, but that they had enlarged the foundation. The date of the finish of construction
was wrong on the application and also suggested that the house should be given a house
number to make the discussion of the properties easier. The Commission discussed a new
public hearing date. Two dates, December 12 and 19 are possible. Mr. Blodgett will check to
see if the notice can be done in time for December 12, and will find out from Attorney
Latham if December 19 is acceptable with his clients.
206 West Street
Mr. and Mrs. Dudley explained their project. They would like to replace two replacement
windows (1982) on the second floor of the south gable end.
Ms. Adams asked about the location of the muttons. She explained that the muttons break
up the effect of one large piece of glass.
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Mrs. Dudley said the windows are 6 over 6 and the muttons are between the glass.
Both Ms. Adams and Mr. Blodgett said they would be much more insistent on windows with
the muttons on the outside if the windows were located on the street side of the building.
Ms. Adams, talked about the age of the house, a Greek Revival. The Town records say that
it was built in 1935, but it probably much earlier - mid-1800's.
Mr. Blodgett explained the process from this point on. The project will require a Certificate
of Appropriateness. And the Dudleys would need to send out abutter's letters.
Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Ms. Adams, move the Historic District
Commission approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of 2
windows on the south gable end of second floor at 206 West Street. Vote: 5-0-0.
201 Prescott Street
Mr. Blodgett said that the application came to his personal email while he was away. All
applications should be sent to HDC(a)ci.read!na.ma.us so that everybody would see all
pertinent information.
Mr. Blodgett said that this is a new application - not the project which had been previously
discussed. The original project of the demolition of the present garage and addition has
been delayed until the spring.
Mr. Callan explained that when work was being done on the interior of the front door frame,
they discovered more damage than they originally thought. And the door needed to be
replaced as the cold was coming into the building. So the door has been replaced.
Ms. Adams asked if the new door is wood. And if there is another interior door at the end of
the entry way.
Mr. Callan said that the door is wood and that there is no other door.
Mr. Blodgett expressed concern that the door is already in, and no application was made to
the Commission. He also said that because it is an egress door, a building permit may have
been required as well.
Ms. Adams said that the design of the door is appropriate to the age of the house.
Mr. Callan also stated that the door they replaced was not an original door.
Ms. Adams recommended that a warning should be given, and that when work starts in the
spring the building inspector should come out to make sure that everything is in order.
Mr. Blodgett stated that the warning can be included in the "post" certificate with a possible
statement.
Motion made by Mr. Blodgett seconded by Ms. Adams, move the Historic District
Commission approve a "Post"Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement
of the front door at 201 Prescott Street. Vote: 5-0-0.
198 Summer Avenue
The homeowners are not here.
Mr. Blodgett stated that they have been given the window notebook, but have not made an
application yet.
189 Summer Avenue
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Mr. and Mrs. Godwin have come for a preliminary discussion for a project to renovate their
kitchen. They are considering extending the roof line by 9 feet on the back of the building
(west side), removing a non-functioning chimney not original to the building, and adding a
dormer on the second floor (north side) where the chimney was. They are anticipating
construction next summer. They showed the Commission preliminary drawings and
discussed their desire to respect the style and design of the house.
186 Summer Avenue
Mr. Blodgett passed out a letter from the Building Commissioner that was sent to Criterion.
He also passed out a copy of their response. There are many concerns about the condition
of the property and whether the request for a new building permit starts the two-year
window for the HDC's certificate. A joint meeting with the Reading Historical Commission
will be held on December 11 in the Conference Room at 7 PM to discuss the issues.
Ms. Adams questions whether a maintenance schedule could be requested.
Ms. Bornstein left the meeting at 8:40.
Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to adjourn the meeting at
8:45. Vote 4-0-0.
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