HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-23 Historic District Commission Minutes Town of Reading j,,E G E l%+ r U
Meeting Minutes Tn•,,,N C L€WK
Board - committee - commission - council• PG21 JAN 13 W 8 53
Historic District Commission
Date: 2020-01-23 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Public Hearing Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Ilene
Bornstein, Carl Mittnight and Pino D'Orazio - Alternate Members
Members - Not Present:
Greg Maganzini and Amelia Freedman
Others Present:
Dana Cooper, Robert Corwin, David Godwin, Gardner Bradlee
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing for 189 Summer Avenue at 7:00 PM.
189 Summer Avenue
Motion made by Ms.Adams,seronded by Ms. Poehler, to dispense of the reading of the public hearing
notice. Vote 4-".
Mr. D'Orazio was moved up to voting member for this meeting.
Mr.Godwin,the homeowner of 189 Summer Avenue, said the plans for the kitchen renovation has not
changed from the last meeting.
Ms.Adams questioned if the Town received any written comments about the project. Mr. Blodgett
responded the Town Hall did not receive any feedback.
Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing to public comment,and closed with no comment.
Mr. Blodgett said the Commission cannot go onto properties,and relies on the Applicant to take
pictures of the renovations. He explained the property at 186 Summer Avenue has a Preservation
Agreement which authorizes the Commission to go onto that property.
Motion made by Mr. D'Orazio,seconded by Ms.Adams, to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to
189 Summer Avenue for the kitchen and addition behind the house.
Ms.Adams went through the Zoning Bylaw to determine the Commission's jurisdiction.
Page 1 1
Ms.Adams affirmed the plans for this project was reviewed at a previous meeting. Mr. Blodgett stated
the project has already been reviewed previously,the owners have been in contact with the
Commission about this project for the last few years.
Vote 5-0-0
Mr. Blodgett informed Mr.Godwin what the process is before a Certificate can be issued.
After the public hearing,Mr. Blodgett said the owner of 198 Summer Avenue is on the agenda to come
in to start the conversation about window replacement. The Commission cannot vote on the window
replacement because the owner has not filed an application. He said the owner borrowed the"red"
window restoring book to think about another option.
198 Summer Avenue
Mr.Gardner Bradlee,the owner of 198 Summer Avenue arrived at the meeting. He presented the
objective of the meeting:
• Said he is unsure what direction to go and wanted to see if the Commission can give any
feedback;
• Received two quotes,one from Anderson Windows that is extreme and one that is for vinyl
replacement;
• Looking to get feedback from the Commission on what they will allow;
• The second-floor windows on the side are original windows and falling apart;
• Most original windows-the southern side windows are in bad shape because of the sun and
temperature change;
• There are storm windows on the outside and they rattle—the space between the sashes opened
up;
• The addition was built before the Historic District—Summer Avenue was created;
• The windows in the addition are Anderson but look similar to original windows—single pane;
• Requesting to replace 4 windows upstairs right away and a maximum of 12 on both floors;and
• Looked at the"red" book and is not sure if repairing of the window is worth it
Mr. Blodgett responded:
• Proposing an all vinyl window would not be an acceptable replacement;
• A Certificate of Appropriateness is required-the replacement of the windows is not considered
normal maintenance;
• Windows are a specific character of a house; and
• The property is on the Inventory Sheet
Mr. Blodgett explained the Certificate of Appropriateness process.
Ms.Adams opined the house is a significant house; and added she would like to inspect the house and
see how it is currently.
The Commission discussed how vinyl replacement windows do not last long.
Mr. Blodgett questioned if the windows are original windows as stated by the owner. The Commission
discussed the muntin's and the benefit of having the muntin's on the outside of the window. Ms.
Adams suggested the owner look at the windows that were recently replaced at 201 Prescott Street.
Mr. Blodgett informed the owner the HDC does not have jurisdiction over storm windows;and he
pointed out why repairing the window is beneficial over replacement windows.
Page 1 2
Ms.Adams said sometimes it is a hard-financial decision for homeowners to decide to repair the
windows;and she added the Commission encourages people to do what is right,and will keep the
general appearance of the Historic District intact.
Ms.Adams agreed to get the inventory sheet on the property and will forward to the Commission and
owner.
Mr. Bradlee asked if the Commission would allow wood on the inside of the window and vinyl on the
outside?
Ms.Adams informed the owner the windows on the addition doesn't need to replicate the historical
home,they can stand alone. Mr. Blodgett added the addition should not match the existing home.
Mr. Blodgett said an Application should be submitted and it is up to the owner to present the brand,
make and model.
Ms.Adams said according to the pictures the windows are in disrepair,the Commission recommends
the reuse of the old windows. She opined owners have a tough decision because they do not know the
importance of maintaining the window.
Ms.Adams made the owner aware of the storm windows that use Velcro.
Mr. Bradlee asked if the Commission could recommend a company who sells window hardware.
Mr. Blodgett commented the house is going to be around for a long time. Ms.Adams said she
appreciates the openness of the owner.
Minutes:01/13/2020
The minutes were not discussed.
• Mr. Blodgett said the notice for 167 Summer Avenue has gone out in the mail and a Certificate
will be issued in 10 days
• Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission Josh Latham,on behalf of the owner of 116 West Street,
contacted him to see if the gate and fence can be removed. The Commission discussed if the
gate and fence is significant,and if it should remain. After the discussion it was decided Mr.
Blodgett will contact Mr. Latham and let him know the change in the plan needs to be reviewed
by the Commission.
• Mr. Blodgett reminded the Commission the Conflict of Interest needs to be returned to the
Town Clerks office
• The Commission reviewed the feedback drafted by Mr. Blodgett for the Bylaw Committee and
made minor grammar corrections.The Commission approved the feedback to be sent to Matt
Kraunelis,the Administrative Services Director.
• Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission of the added requirement when the Applicant is
submitting envelopes to the Town Hall. The envelopes need to be at the Town Hall 16 Days
prior to the public hearing—this requirement will be noted on the Application.
• The next meeting is scheduled for February V
Motion made by Ms. Bornstein,seconded by Mr. D'Orazio,to adjourn the meeting at 8.00. Vote 5-0-0.
Page 1 3