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Home My WebLink About2019-12-11 Historical Commission Minutes orxro Town of Reading f= C�+-;EIVci0 Meeting Minutes T WtJ CLERK MA 1920 FEB 27 ey B 52B KOPPOP Historical Commission Date: 12/11/2019 Time: 7pm 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 Santo (Member)- SRS Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW Ron Weston (Member)- RW Pino D'Orazio (Associate) -PD Amelia Freedman (Associate) -AF Carl Mittnight (CM) Also present or joint meeting with the Historic District Commission Ilene Bornstein (IB) Priscilla Poehler (PP) Everett Blodgett (EB) Virginia Blodgett (VB Secretary HDC) Scott Wolf(Schoolhouse Condominiums) Jerry Lamb (JL) Robert Corwin (RC) Kathy Greenfield (KG) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha Couture Topics of Discussion We began with a joint meeting with the Historic District Commission. 186 Summer Avenue Concerns about the status of the project were discussed. EB reported a discussion with town representatives about their willingness to tax the property owner. EB feels the Town seems unwilling at this time to exercise Its authority under Massachusetts General Law to tax. RW believes Criterion should be paying taxes at the same rate as the previous owner. PO asked if town counsel looked at tax assessment law. Criterion's demolition and foundation permits have expired. JEB spoke with the Building Commissioner, who thus far is not aware of any immediate danger to the structure. In response to an inquiry from the Building Commissioner about the status of the project, Page I 1 / rnr,, Town of Reading o Meeting Minutes IJ Criterion's contractor wrote that they intend to commence work in January 2020. There was little other information available from the town on the status of the project. JEB discussed his opinion that provisions of the preservation restriction agreement obligate the owners, among other things, to maintain and repair the structures so as to preserve the exterior characteristics which contribute to the architectural and historical integrity of the premises. Neighbors of 186 Summer Ave expressed their frustration at the lack of progress on the property and desire for the town to enforce the preservation restriction agreement (PRA). RC pointed out that Criterion has a facility in Stoneham and wondered if they are even planning on using the Reading location. Neighbor KG wrote a letter to the HDC to argue that the fencing around the property should be taken down until construction begins. She asked what enforcement powers the HDC and RHC have. EB noted that MA law gives little enforcement powers. JEB noted the PRA provisions and suggested that if evidence could be shown that there was damage or danger of damage to the exterior characteristics of the house and/or barn, the owners could arguably be held to the PRA provisions. JEB suggested RHC and HDC conduct another inspection of the premises. IB is concerned about bad faith on the part of the property owner, and asked if the preservation agreement requires insurance to be kept on the property. SC asked if the Select Board is aware/concerned about the status of the project. VB suggested bringing up the issue at a Select Board meeting, which could induce the Board to put some pressure on the town to do something. VA noted that there is a risk of the health department ordering the building to be torn down. JW suggested a letter be sent to Criterion stating they are in violation of the preservation agreement, to see if there is some response. JEB suggested the need for some specific evidence of violations or danger of damage to support invoking the PRA. JEB suggested both commissions should write the board of assessors and town counsel to ask for tax enforcement on the property per Massachusetts General law, since the building is not currently being used for educational purposes. JEB noted our ability to exert pressure or enforce the PRA would have more bite if commissions have backing from town counsel. There was a general consensus that both commissions feel strongly Criterion needs to act to preserve the historic structure. The commissions are dependent on the Town to aid in enforcement. Both groups agreed to consider available options, including writing letters to the town assessor, town counsel, and to Criterion. Joint Meeting ended. At Wood End EB reported that 66 At Wood End books had been sold in a bundle with VB and EB's Acadia History of Reading. He requested to continue selling the set. Motion by SRS, seconded by JEB "Continue selling At Wood End for $22 a copy, as a bundle through the end of 2020" Page 1 2 C&"Fot.4� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Vote: 5-0 in favor Schoolhouse Condominiums Scott Wolf and Bob Smith were present to discuss air handling units on the roof of the Schoolhouse condominium building. They stated that the new equipment is about twice as large as the old units. RW shared old and new photographs of the roof with the RHC. JEB noted that the deed restriction requires the deed holder to 'preserve [the] roofline as much as possible'. VA pointed out that the owner did not discuss the changes in the roofline with the RHC or Select Board. SW acknowledged the omission and suggested the new equipment could possibly be camouflaged with decorative screening. JW suggests having the architect discuss screening possibilities at a future RHC meeting, which SW plans to do. Utility Box Art Planning assistant Andrew MacNichol has a plan and budget to have artists design and paint 6-8 utility boxes throughout town. RHC discussed how this project would Integrate with RHC's proposed "Vinyl Wrap Art" project. RHC would like to work on a utility box near the common. JEB, AF, and VA will look at some possible Images to provide the vendor. Cost is about $1000. 79-81 Salem Street No News Postmark Square The granite wall has been rebuilt. 20-24 Gould Street Construction has begun, no news from exhibit designer. JEB will follow up with them. 27 Hillcrest Road The Mass Form B, assembled by VA, AF, and JEB was reviewed. 832 Main Street Kurt Habel, owner of 832 Main Street, is interested in getting his home on the Inventory. He has compiled a history of ownership to the home and provided it to JEB who will share with the Commission. RHC Archives Preservation Assessment SC read aloud the proposed mission statement for the town archive. There was general agreement to adopt the mission statement as written. "The Reading Historical Commission shall acquire, maintain, and preserve published works, documents, bound and unbound manuscripts, photographs, and other Items that support the mission of the Reading Historical Commission to record historic assets of the Town." Finances No updates. Page 1 3 orae Town of Reading • Meeting Minutes /~ �rx<oev�Y New Business JEB reported attending a CPDC meeting, where design guidelines for downtown smart growth were approved. JEB felt the guidelines, while not as detalled as the proposed language RHC had suggested to CPDC, do have a consideration for the concerns of the neighboring current residents of the downtown smart growth district. Next Meeting January 22, 2020 Motion to adjourn made by JEB, seconded by JW Vote: 5-0 in favor. Page 1 4