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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-14 Historical Commission Minutes Ori ,14 (AIVED � � Town of Reading OIAIN CLERK ai Meeting Minutes I °A A. 6� �" is I•,„�o .�e 2 11 flat 17 PM 2: 42 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2021-04-14 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams, Associate (VA) Jonathan Barnes, Member (JEB) Samantha Couture, Chair (SC) Pino D'Orazio, Member (PD) Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF) Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer (SRS) Members - Not Present: N/A Others Present: Kevin Bohmiller (KB) Dennis Carr (DC) Robert Corwin (RC) Julie Mercier (IM) Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman Topics of Discussion: JM, Community Development Director, helped SC establish herself as the host of the meeting and then she left. SC called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. She described the rules for the Zoom meeting. She also advised attendees that RCN was recording the meeting, which might be live streamed on television or on YouTube. SC appointed VA a voting member for the evening, because PD will be arriving late. Senior Center: KB, Community Services Director and Acting Senior Center Director, proposed erecting a tent in the courtyard at the Senior Center. The staff at the Center is concerned about the social isolation the town's senior citizens have experienced over the course of the pandemic, and the tent would allow them to gather safely. The tent would be 20 by 20 feet, In place in the Center's courtyard from approximately lune to September. KB also said the tent would be secured to the ground using straps caught under small Jersey barriers or heavy barrels. SRS asked where, exactly, the tent would be located. KB displayed a picture of the Center taken from Parker Street, and said that the tent would be placed in front of the two left doors. Page 1 1 JEB asked If the tent would have sides. KB said no, to allow air flow and to reduce the risk of COVID transmission. VA said she appreciated the historical sensitivity of the proposal; she was glad that KB was not proposing to attach an awning permanently to the building. SC agreed, saying a permanent awning would change the historic fagade. SC said she did not think the RHC needed to vote on the proposal, but she asked if KB needed a letter of support. He said no; he came before the Commission as a formality only, and so that the RHC would not be surprised when the tent went up. 186 Summer Avenue: ADF reminded the Commission that the Criterion team had attended an RHC meeting in the fall and said it expected new bids within three months. She said she thought it was time to ask for an update. She also noted Everett Blodgett's recent picture of the house, circulated in advance of the meeting, showed that the damage to the front porch noted in the fall has not yet been repaired; the condition remains despite Dr. Littleton's assurances that his team would address it. DC, an abutter, confirmed that the front porch roof is still sagging. JEB suggested the RHC send a letter to Dr. Littleton asking him to attend a future RHC meeting, to provide updated information about the bid process. He noted that asking for the team to attend an RHC meeting produced positive results in the fall, in terms of productive conversation that evening and, later, information about how often the Criterion team had visited and repaired the property. JEB noted that the"drop dead date"of the HDC's Certificate of Appropriateness is approaching in June 2021, at which point the project should have been "substantively completed." He suggested that the HDC write a letter to Dr. Littleton to point this deadline out and to ask what plans he has for the property. SC will draft the letter and then send it to RHC members for comment. )EB said he thought the HDC should include a request that Dr. Littleton and his team attend a future HDC meeting. SC asked what would happen if Criterion missed the "drop dead date." VA said she did not know. JEB read from the Certificate of Appropriateness, saying that the HDC may extend the deadline"for good cause shown." )EB also suggested the HDC be in touch with Town Counsel, to ask for help understanding the legal options. ADF asked whether that would be a time efficient strategy, since, in the past, the HDC had not been allowed to communicate with Town Counsel directly. JEB said that, when he was RHC chair, he contacted Town Counsel directly and was successful. He also said that it would be better for the HDC to hear from Town Counsel directly, instead of getting Information second hand from someone at Town Hall; this would allow for a more interactive back-and-forth discussion with Town Counsel. RC, another abutter, asked whether Criterion could be forced to take down the construction fence currently in place at the property. He noted that the"temporary"fence has now been in place for at least four years. He asked whether his contacting the Building Inspector about the fence was a good idea; SC said yes. VA said she would be concerned if the fence were removed because the house is vacant, and "any number of catastrophes"can occur in a vacant house. RC said the fence probably would not keep a determined person from entering. JEB said he understood both the neighbors'dislike for the "incredibly unsightly" fence, and VA's concerns If it should come down. RC said he would contact the Building Inspector and then circle back to the RHC. RC asked which group has more authority over the property, the RHC or the HDC. SC noted the HDC wrote the Certificate of Appropriateness. JEB pointed out that the HDC and the RHC were signatories to the Preservation Restriction Agreement, and that the CPDC also has jurisdiction. Page 12 DC asked the RHC to notify him when the RHC plans to discuss the property again. ADF said she would. Additions to Historic Inventory Hearings: SC said that the initial letters have gone out to the property owners of the three properties (27 Hillcrest Avenue; 767 Main Street; 852 Main Street), and that the second, certified letter would go out soon. She reported that Amanda Beatrice, Senior Administrative Assistant, is currently working on the letters to the abutters and the legal notices. SC said she would be In tough with JEB to walk through the steps of the hearings. JEB said that the hearings need not be extremely formal; all that will be necessary will be a reading of the Form B about each property and then a call for public comment. SRS said she would be happy to read some of the Form Bs aloud during the hearings. JEB reminded the Commission that four affirmative votes are necessary to add a house to the Inventory. Letter to Historic Inventory Property Owners: ADF drafted a letter for the owners of Inventory and circulated it in advance. SC said she liked the letter. ADF will edit it to address the RHC's suggestions and send it to SC for her signature. SC asked if)EB had verified that the Markarian Sign Company was still able to produce the historical markers, and he said he did. SC said she would like to get the letter out by May 1. JEB asked if the costs for the letter would come out of the RHC's budget. VA said no, that Community Development usually pays for mailings like this. SC said she would ask Ms. Beatrice if she needs help stuffing the envelopes. ADF asked if Ms. Beatrice needed help generating the list of addresses. SC said she would ask. Utility Box Vinyl Wrap Artwork Project: Some members of the Commission had their picture taken for a magazine article about the project that will appear in "The Readings." After the picture, VA and JEB gave an interview about the project. VA asked when the article would appear, and SC said she did not know. VA suggested the RHC place a copy of the article in the Archives. SC suggested adding a link to the PAC's webpage on the Town website. JEB suggested asking Matt Kraunelis, Director of Administrative Services, to add a link to the article on the Town's Facebook page. Merit Certificates: VA read the purpose and the eligibility criteria for the RHC Merit Certificate. She then nominated Postmark Square and the Schoolhouse Condominiums to receive Merit Certificates. She nominated Postmark Square for saving the historic building's facade and restricting new construction to the rear of the building, thus retaining the historic building's essence. She nominated the Schoolhouse Condominiums for retaining the historic building's exterior when renovating after the devastating fire in 2017. JEB said that he thought the RHC should recognize the teams behind both properties for their willingness to work with the Commission In preserving the historical properties in Reading. VA suggested the Commission purchase bronze plaques for the nominated properties. SC asked if VA recalled how much the plaques cost. VA said she did not, but would examine the 2013-2014 records to determine what it was. SC said she would ask Dave Traggorth where he was having the marker for 24 Gould Street made. SRS said she thought there were probably many places which make plaques of this sort. Motion: To award RHC Merit Certificates to Postmark Square and the Schoolhouse Condominiums, and to allocate up to $1000 for the purchase of bronze plaques to commemorate the award. SC motion, JEB second; vote 5-0-0. Certificate of Appreciation for Past Members: VA suggested that the RHC acknowledge the contributions of past Commission members Ron Weston and Jack Williams with framed Page 1 3 certificates and the gift of a poster (or a pen-and-ink drawing of historic buildings in Town from the 375" Anniversary celebration). Motion: To authorize up to $10 to frame the certificates of appreciation for past members SRS Motion, SC second; 5-0-0 vote. VA will print the certificates. SC will pick them up, sign them, and then deliver them. VA will also send the certificate to the RHC forwarding address, so there will be a digital copy for future use. Town Archives: SC reported that the RHC has received two donations for the Archives. The first is a 1914 picture postcard of the former Highland School / current Reading Public Library. The second is a 1919 scrapbook compiled by Mary Temple, of the Temple Street Temple family, comprised of materials related to the construction of Memorial Park. Motion: To accept the above-mentioned donated items, together with the book "If This House Could Talk"purchased by the RHC, for inclusion in the Town Archives. SC Motion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0 SC will write thank you notes on behalf of the RHC to the donors. SC said that she discovered that there are more than 30 copies of"Reading's Colonial Rooftrees"in storage at the Archives, and that she thinks it would be acceptable to sell the two copies requested by the Parker Family descendent (via Everett Blodgett). VA said that the Commission used to charge $7.50 for the book, and that the Town Clerk used to send the books at Town expense. SC said the Town Clerk told her Ms. Beatrice would arrange shipping. Demolition Delay Review: ADF summarized the research she had done since the last RHC meeting. The important findings were as follows: (1) Reading is the only town in Massachusetts to have ever reduced its demolition delay period; (2) Reading is the only town in Massachusetts that allows homeowners to appeal the placement of their house on the Inventory; (3) the last Town Manager was instrumental in drafting the version of the bylaw which reduced the demolition delay period from 12 months to 6 months; and (4) the vote by which the demolition delay period was passed was an extremely close, and the motion carried at Town Meeting by only two votes. SC asked whether the Involvement of the Town Manager in drafting the bylaw for Town Meeting was unusual. VA said yes; she explained that it was part of that Town Manager's push, in about 2011 and 2012, to make Town procedures more"customer service friendly" and "business friendly." SC asked what are some of the RHC's successes to which the Commission could point in any presentation that It makes to Town Meeting. VA said that the RHC saved 409 Grove Street and 420 Franklin from demolition. PD suggested Postmark Square would qualify as a success. SRS said that the condominium complex on the site of the demolished Peirce Organ Factory would qualify, because it Includes architectural features from the historic structure and retains Its original footprint. JEB mentioned the planned historical display at 24 Gould Street as a success. VA said that the 12-month demolition delay discouraged a developer from buying and tearing down 118 Salem Street; a family later purchased the house and restored it. SRS said the extension of the demolition delay to 12 months could have the effects of discouraging developers and inducing homeowners to negotiate with the RHC. Finances: SRS has received her reimbursement of the book, "If This House Could Talk." She asked SC to let her know if the RHC will need to cover any expenses related to the letter to Inventory property owners. Page 14 New Business: The applicant has emailed a report written by a structural engineer which describes the deterioration of the building's facade at 25 Haven Street. JEB said that he thinks this makes the application complete. Now that the application is complete, the bylaw requires the RHC to set up within 21 days a demolition delay hearing and to notify the applicant of the date. SC will fallow up. VA reported reading about an upcoming CPDC hearing about a liquor license for the planned restaurant at Postmark Square. The applicants have proposed the name"the Common District Meeting House,"which VA finds misleading. She said that the name may cause some people to confuse the restaurant with the actual historic area around the Town Common. SC said she thought the name sounded more appropriate for a church than a restaurant serving alcohol. VA suggested the Commission send a letter to the CPDC in advance of their May 4 meeting about the Issue. JEB offered to edit the letter if VA would be willing to write a draft. VA and JEB will follow up. SC said that the RHC email forwarding address seems to be malfunctioning again; she sometimes does not receive email sent to that address. Review Minutes: Motion: To accept the minutes from March 10, 2021 as emended. Motion SRS, SC second; vote 5-0-0. Next Meeting Dates: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 7 PM; Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 7 PM Adjournment: Motion: To adjourn. Motion JEB, SC second; vote: 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 PM. Page 1 5