HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-17 Historical Commission Minutes RECEIVED
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2020-09-17 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virginia Adams, Associate (VA)
Jonathan Barnes, Chair (JEB)
Samantha Couture, Member (SC)
Pino D'Orazio, Associate (PD)
Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF)
Ron Weston, Associate (RW)
Jack Williams, Treasurer (JW)
Members - Not Present:
Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Member
Others Present:
Jaclyn Lee (JL)
Julie Mercier (JM)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman
Topics of Discussion:
JEB called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
JEB appointed VA as a voting member for the meeting.
61 Grand Street: The owner, Jacklyn Lee, described the renovations she is planning to
make so that her historic home, which is on the RHC's List of Historic Structures, is more
child-friendly. She asked about the RHC's oversight.
JEB explained that the RHC would have authority under the Demolition Delay Bylaw only if
any of the renovations JL is contemplating is determined by the Building Inspector to
require a demolition permit from the Town. He speculated that a demolition permit might
be necessary to accomplish two of her projects, namely, removing an interior stairwell and
enclosing the screened porch; the porch is a later addition to the historic structure. He
suggested that JL contact the Town Building Inspector to determine whether any demolition
permits would be necessary. If the Building Inspector requires a demolition permit, JEB
informed JL that the Demolition Delay Bylaw would apply and that RHC would be required to
hold a demolition delay hearing. If a demolition permit is not required, JEB told JL that the
RHC would be happy to offer guidance should she feel that would be helpful.
531 Main Street: JEB reported attending the CPCD's September meeting. The developers
of the project had made significant design changes since the August meeting, but the CPDC
requested additional changes. The developers will reconsider their proposal.
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16 Eaton Street: Following the RHC decision last month to impose a demolition delay of up
to six months, the property owners and builder had been invited to attend this meeting to
discuss their intentions; they did not join, however. No new information is available. JEB
will follow up.
Utility Box Vinyl Wrap Art Project: JEB visited the Town Archives and chose additional
pictures for the utility box vinyl wrap art project, which he displayed.
JEB and VA wrote text, circulated in advance, that they proposed should accompany the
pictures on the boxes. JW suggested that little to no text be used, so as not to distract
from the images; RW agreed. JEB suggested that the text be limited to the location and
date instead; all agreed.
Given the reduction in proposed text, VA suggested that a QR code be included on each
box. SC agreed and will research how to do the codes. JM said that Andrew MacNichol is
planning QR codes for his"Outside the Box Mural Program,"and that the RHC should
contact him. RW agreed that all the boxes should use the same application. JEB wondered
if the codes would need to be finalized in time to be included in the artist's images. PD said
no; a clear decal could be attached later. VA expressed her hope that the codes would be
placed on the boxes where pedestrians can view them safety.
Within the next week, JEB will send the pictures, the agreed-upon text, and a digital version
of the Town seal to the artist so he can begin work. The RHC can expect to see a draft
before the designs are finalized.
Bike Shelter at the Train Depot: JM reported that the Town has received a disbursement
of money from the state that they would like to use for a bicycle shelter at the train depot.
This proposal is a response to recent public feedback that there is currently inadequate
bicycle storage at the depot. Further, residents expressed a clear preference for a structure
which would protect their bicycles from the elements.
JM suggests removing the existing bicycle rack, located on the Lincoln Street side of the
depot, west of the tracks but north of the building. In its place, the Town would install a
vertical, 2 tier shelter, approximately 10 feet x 8 feet x 6 feet, that would hold 16 bikes.
The structure would have a roof, but the back and sides could be opaque or open. JW
provided pictures of the proposed shelter design.
Since the depot has a deed restriction, JM asked the RHC's opinion on the plans. JEB said
that a structure of this sort is outside the bounds of the deed restriction but he appreciated
the opportunity for the RHC to weigh in.
RHC members expressed concern about the appearance of the shelter. SC said the second
level looks very high and some residents might find it hard to use. RW agreed, and
suggested reserving the lower level spots for senior citizens. JW said the proposed
structure was unattractive.
Members also expressed concerns about the location of the shelter. RW said that it would
obscure the historic building. ADF asked if the shelter could be placed in a different
location. JM reported considering placing it across the tracks, on the Haven Street side, but
now thinks that would be more visually intrusive. JEB suggested placing the structure
across Woburn St., still on the west of the tracks. JW objected to this option if it would
require tearing up the existing landscaping.
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JW presented an alternative plan, as follows: that the Town should expand and pave the
proposed area with bricks, and then install several "European style" bike racks there. RW
agreed that the Town should improve what's currently in place instead of installing
something new.
JM reiterated that Town residents have said they want a shelter (i.e., with a roof) and not
just more bike racks.
JEB summarized the RHC's collective opinion on the current proposal, as follows: a less
obtrusive version of the shelter would be preferred, as it is not compatible with the historic
building; the shelter should be placed somewhere other than beside the building.
JM will rework the proposal and circle back to the RHC.
JEB thanked JM again for the opportunity to give opinions and said he hoped the
Commission would be able to do so again in the future.
Archives Policy Manual: SC has written a draft of a policy manual for the Archives, which
covers the following subjects: mission statement; collection polices; accessioning and
deaccessioning; processing; storage and handling; access and use; loans and exhibits;
building and security; emergencies.
VA complimented SC for her work on the manual. SC said she was motivated by the need
for more formality in the RHC's accessioning and deaccessioning procedures. She also
suggested that a sub-group of the RHC be established to apply the new procedures to the
materials currently held in the Archives.
JW asked what the procedure for making the draft official should be. JEB suggested the
group review the draft and then vote whether to adopt it as official RHC policy.
Turning to the draft, JEB had a number of questions about its terminology and phrasing. SC
will edit the draft with an eye to clarity for non-experts. At the October meeting, the RHC
will discuss the revision and vote on it.
VA said that the RHC needs more physical space for the historical objects in the Archives.
SC agreed, adding that the Commission also needs space for materials that are not part of
the Archives but which are stored there, such as the display easels. VA said a storage
closet in Town Hall would be a good start.
24 Gould Street: JW has not heard from the project team since he and JEB furnished them
with historical materials for the new community event space. He reported that he visited
the site recently. The space is located just to the left of the main entrance and has good
visibility from the street because of a large window.
As the RHC's designated representative for this project, JW will continue to communicate
with the project team. When available, he will bring several possible design plans to the
Commission for its review.
JW reported he refurbished the framed collage of Ace Corner products, which Newt Spurr
donated to the RHC. JEB asked whether the collage should be given to the builders for their
use, or if it should be placed in the Town Archives. JW, SC, and VA all said that it should go
to the Archives.
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79-81 Salem Street: The house has been demolished. RW will update the RHC's Historical
and Architectural Inventory to reflect its loss.
186 Summer Avenue: JEB reported speaking to Everett Blodgett, the chair of the HDC.
Mr. Blodgett informed JEB that the pergola at the front of the house has been propped up
with a wooden brace.
JEB noted that Criterion's building permit from June 2019 has expired, but that the
Certificate of Appropriateness from the HDC is valid until June 2021.
JEB asked whether the RHC should take any of the following steps: (1) ask the Town
Building Inspector to request a status update from Criterion, (2) invite Dr. Littleton and the
project team to the RHC's next meeting to discuss the status of the project, or (3)
reschedule the site visit that was cancelled due to the pandemic.
JW said he thought that the RHC should not take any of these steps, as they have all been
unsuccessful in the past. He suggested approaching Town Counsel instead. He reiterated
the Commission's concern that the house will be subject to "demolition by neglect."
JEB said that if Town Counsel does not want to pursue the issue, the RHC might bring the
matter to the attention of the Select Board.
ADF expressed her opinion that Criterion is in violation of the Preservation Restriction
Agreement, since they have chosen to prop up, but not repair, the decaying pergola. JW
agreed.
SC asked if the Commission has photographs that would illustrate the deterioration of the
house and the barn. She suggested that such pictures should be sufficient evidence to
bring to Town Counsel and / or the Select Board. JEB replied that the pictures do not
capture the deterioration.
JEB said he would like to have more complete information about the state of the structure
before invoking the Preservation Restriction Agreement. He suggested that an inspection of
the property, conducted either by an outside expert or by RW and JW in their professional
capacities (engineer and architect, respectively), would provide this information. ADF asked
if the RHC has the names of any outside experts and / or the funds to hire them. JEB said
yes, on both counts.
RW said that the RHC should send a letter, asking for a detailed and specific project plan.
ADF noted that the RHC's relationship with Criterion soured the last time the Commission
made that request; JEB agreed.
RW expressed his opinion that it is time for the RHC to involve the Select Board.
JM reviewed the RHC's emails from 2 years ago with Town Counsel, and noted that the
questions being asked tonight are different than those the RHC asked in 2018. She said
that this warrants the RHC getting back in touch with Town Counsel.
JM suggested the following, multi-pronged approach: (1) that the RHC puts its concerns
about the property in a letter, includes pictures, and sends it to her to forward to Town
Counsel; (2) that the RHC asks the Criterion team to come to an upcoming meeting; and
(3) that the RHC arranges a site visit. JEB will follow up.
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In reference to the site visit, JEB noted that Mr. Blodgett plans to ask for a site visit for the
HDC to take place at a different time from the RHC's, in the hope that multiple visits per
year would lead to progress in the renovation.
Finances: JEB sent an electronic copy of the budget to JW.
RHC Membership and Officers: The RHC needs a new chair, as JEB's term has expired.
He had hoped to discuss the issue tonight, but SRS was unable to attend.
JEB told the members that he would serve out the year if necessary, but he is will not
extend his term as chair after that. He said that he was willing to help anyone interested in
the position to get up to speed, and that he thought the position should be rotated among
all full members. JW suggested that some full members might step down to associate
membership to increase the number of potential candidates. JEB asked anyone interested
in taking the position to get in touch with him prior to the October meeting.
JEB will also follow up with Town residents Tyler D'Ambrosio and Ian O'Leary, both of whom
have expressed interest in joining the RHC. He will invite them to the next meeting.
JEB asked JM when in-person meetings at Town Hall would resume. She said she did not
know.
27 Hillcrest Road and 832 Main Street: JEB contacted the owners to let them know the
RHC would like to hold public hearings on adding their properties to the Historical and
Architectural Inventory before the end of the year. He will follow up.
New Business
RW expressed surprise that the meeting was being recorded by RCN. PD informed the
group that the meeting was being streamed live on RCN. RW said he did not know that
either RCN recording or live streaming was a possibility and that he should have been
informed in advance. JM said that she opens the Zoom meetings she hosts with such an
announcement but had forgotten to do so tonight.
ADF reported having been contacted by Jayne D'Onofrio, who puts together the RMLD
calendar. Ms. D'Onofrio requested research assistance, which ADF provided.
JEB pointed out that the Town recently sent a letter to residents inviting them to give
feedback on several development projects, including modifications to the parking downtown
and a redesign of key intersections.
August Minutes:
Motion: To accept the August 13, 2020 minutes as revised. JEB motion, JW second; vote
5-0-0.
October Meeting Date: Thursday, 10/22 at 7:00 PM
Adjournment: RW motion, JW second; vote 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:39 P.M.
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