The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2020-07-01 Historical Commission Minutes r Town of Reading 'c Meeting Minutes Historical Commission '' 3 Date: July 1, 2020 Time: 7pm Building: Remote Meeting Location: Join Zoom Meeting Address: httos�Uzoom us/i/99494174518 Session: Open Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (Member)- VA Jonathan Barnes (Chair)- JEB Amelia Freedman (Member) -AF Sharlene Reynolds Santo (Member)- SRS Jack Williams (Treasurer)- JW Pino D'Orazio (Associate) -PD Members - Not Present: Samantha Couture Ron Weston Others in Attendance: Julie Mercier (JM) Attorney, Chris Latham (CL) Thomas Stohr (TS) Saverio Fulciniti (SF) Nick Stohr (NS) Robert Paccione (RP) Kevin Fortin (KF) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo Topics of Discussion JEB called meeting to order at 7 prn and because we were down 1 member JEB appointed VA as a voting member for the meeting. JM (Zoom host for town) explained the process. JEB welcomed group back together after several months apart. 7:00 pm Swiss Bakers 32 Lincoln St - Swiss Bakers has applied for a new signage. Such applications require approval from CPDC under the Sign Bylaw. In addition, the building is a historical structure on the RHC's Inventory and it's covered by a historic deed restriction. As a result, the Select Board must also approve the proposed signage after receiving input and a recommendation from the RHC. KF (AA Thrifty Sign Co.) explained the sign design options. Following discussion, Swiss Bakers will need to clarify the number of signs allowed and type of sign (wall, projecting, illuminated, etc.) before proceeding further. TS and NS (company owners) value historic buildings and they prefer to limit the holes put into the structure. RHC will need to review future design options with the Applicant before providing its Input and recommendations to the Select Board and CPDC. 7:45 pm 531 Main St DSGD 40R Proposal -JEB introduced the project and notified group that if the project proceeds, a demolition delay hearing will be required before the RHC in the future. Proposed to demolish the historic Chronicle building which is on the RHC Inventory, and replace with a mixed use 40R project. CL spoke asking for input from RHC. This vacant building has been available for sale but no takers. Current configuration is from 1929. Wish to demolish and replace with 1 commercial unit and 19 residential units, Page 1 1 r Town of Reading c Meeting Minutes �r '\A•"MOP\OP! 4 affordable. Parking garage underneath for 20 vehicles. The building will be named "The Chronicle" with some historic details included in the design as well as displaying some historical references in the foyer area. RP explained the design incorporating historical elements. JW had some architectural suggestions, including removing the parking spaces under the commercial space at the Main Street front of the building, to allow the commercial space to be at street level, with glass along this frontage rather than the brick wall as proposed. JW also suggested a separate entrance for the commercial space. These revisions form a better connection with pedestrian/street traffic. VA inquired about the elevator shaft and the appearance of the roof line. JEB asked them to consider further limiting the building massing (step-backs, horizontal breaks, etc.), particularly along the east elevation which is adjacent to a residential neighborhood important in Reading's history. • 8:30 pm 94 Salem St Demo Delay Hearing date - began at 8:50 pm. Discussed possible dates to propose for this partial demolition of a house on the Inventory: 7/23, 8/13/20. JEB will check availability with applicant. • 24 Gould St Update - JW shared that he recently met with Dave Traggorth and gave him the historic materials RHC agreed to loan for use in the Community Event Space. We will hear from them when a design has been created. A letter confirming that these items are on loan to David until the display is removed or the RHC requests they be returned has been signed by David. This will codify that these materials belong to the RHC. Most of these materials came from Newt Spurr's collection which he previously permanently donated to the RHC. Newt still has some items in his office which he has donated to RHC and which will be stored in RHC archives once access to Town Hall is restored. • Finances - At the suggestion of VA. JEB spoke with the Treasurer's office asking to encumber RHC's remaining balance ($1,300) from its FY2020 account and enabling it to be spent on the utility box vinyl wrap art project in FY21. As a result, a Purchase Order has been created that will allow RHC to use this $1,300 on the utility box art project. JEB shared that the RHC received $1,000 grant from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation that is also available toward the $4,000 cost of the full art project with artist Franklin Marval. It was Sara Brukilacchio who suggested he apply through the Eastern Bank grant program and the Reading Cooperative Bank Charitable Foundation grant program. JEB noted he has applied for a grant through the Reading Bank program and he's awaiting a reply. There are four utility boxes near the common that we are considering. • RHC Membership / Officers - Ron Weston was reappointed as an associate member, Amelia Freedman has been appointed a full member and Virginia Adams was reappointed as an associate member. Ian O'Leary is a local resident who had applied to join the RHC and is very interested in the town historic preservation. However, because we have a full commission, he has been appointed to another board. Tyler D'Ambrosio is another resident interested in joining the commission. JEB has spoken with both and will invite them to attend future RHC meetings. JEB mentioned that the RHC could consider the option of requesting the Select Board to increase our membership. Town Charter and state law allow for up to seven regular commission members. RHC discussed reorganization for FY21. Nominations for Chair were deferred until a meeting with all voting members. JEB nominated AF for Secretary, SRS 2nd, Vote 5-0. JW agreed to continue as the Treasurer. JEB nominated JW as Treasurer, SRS 2nd, Vote 5-0. Page 1 2 rx Town of Reading o Meeting Minutes IMC•PP• • Celebration Trust Committee Member Samantha Couture is no longer going to be the representative from RHC. SRS volunteered to take on this position. JEB nominated SRS as the RHC rep on the Celebration Trust. JW seconded the motion. Vote 5-0. • New Business 0 16 Eaton St will be requiring a demolition delay hearing. 0 39-41 Walnut St [Vicky Sandford] inquiring about the property. JEB asked if the RHC could tour the structure before it goes on the market. RHC expressed interest in a site tour, JEB will follow up. o Maintaining your old House Webinar Coming up on July 1, 2020 0 79-81 Salem St has not yet been demolished and it may be at the 2 year limit o Lieberman inquiry by a descendant. Ginny Blodgett, VA & SRS researched the info and GB wrote an essay about this early first Post Office. 0 186 Summer Ave JEB has been working with the Building Commissioner about the status of the structure. The Building Commissioner has recently resigned from the position in Reading. Some time is being spent at the site to maintain yard but little is being done to begin the project. JEB still to pursue a site visit when the current pandemic emergency eases. o Additions to List of Significant Structures 27 Hillcrest Ave, 832 Main St, UUCR and Sawyer House to be discussed at a future meeting. • Review Minutes - March 11, 2020. JEB moved to approved minutes of March 11, 2020 as amended. Second SRS Vote 4-0-1 Meeting Adjourned JEB moved to adjourn at 10 pm. Second SRS. Vote 5-0 Page 1 3