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Home My WebLink About2022-02-16 Historical Commission MinutesRECEIVED 055 TOWN CLERK �� Town of Reading READING 5 Meeting Minutes MA. �� 2622 APR 28 PMI Ye IN(OP� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2022-02-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Zoom Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (VA); Jonathan Barnes (JEB); Samantha Couture, Chair (SC); Pino D'Orazio (PD); Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF); Christine Keller (CK); Daniel Moresco (DM); Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer (SRS) Members - Not Present: n/a Others Present: Everett Blodgett; Virginia Blodgett; Lucia Corbett; Erica Lakin; Barbara Maguire; Peter Maguire; Eric Whitney Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman Topics of Discussion: SC called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. She read the protocols for the Zoom meeting and advised attendees that RCTV may be airing the meeting or recording it to air later. Lafayette Marker: Peter Maguire reported that the William G. Pomeroy Foundation has approved the application for a "Lafayette's Farewell Tour" historical marker in Reading. Mr. Maguire thanked Everett Blodgett, Virginia Blodgett, and VA for their research help. Mr. Maguire said that the marker will be 2 feet by 3 feet, on a 5 -foot pole. It will be placed in front of Latham and Latham, 643 Main Street, the most likely location of Skinner's Tavern; its location cannot be documented with primary sources. SC received a letter indicating that the Latham family is willing for the sign to be placed on their property if there is a problem plating it on Town property. JEB reported that Karen Gately Herrick, the Chair of the Select Board, will communicate with Town staff about this issue; JEB will follow up. Everett Blodgett suggested the Commission talk to Julie Mercier, Community Development Director, about permitting, she was very helpful when he wanted to install an informational kiosk outside Parker Tavern. Mr. Maguire hopes to have a public unveiling of the marker. He reported that the Pomeroy Foundation encourages donations to offset their costs. VA asked how much money the Foundation suggests. Mr. Maguire said $1000, but that he does not think raising the money will be a problem; he has already identified several funding sources to which he will apply. 40 Grove Street: SC received an email from the owner, indicating that he plans to wait out the demolition delay. When the delay elapses on February 28, SC will send letter to the Building Inspector to release the delay. Page I r 4 orxr �� °� �; Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 24 Gould Street: SC has no new information about the indoor historical plaque. She will contact the owner. 25 Haven Street: SC has no new information. She will contact the owner. 186 Summer Avenue: SC reminded RHC members that they cannot talk in open session about the issues discussed in executive session. JEB reported that he spoke to Ms. Mercier, to make sure that the relevant Town staff have been informed about recent developments in reference to this property; SC will follow up. 531 Main Street: VA reported that the historical structure has been demolished. SC will follow up with the owners about the planned historical display. RMHS History Award: ADF met with John Fiore, the head of the History Department at Reading Memorial High School (RMHS). She asked the Commission to weigh in on the still undecided issues, as follows: eligibility criteria; application components; role of the RHC. The Commission agreed to the following • The applicant will be an honors student who plans to major in history in college. • The applicant will submit the following. a teacher recommendation; a statement of the student's GPA in history and social studies class; a brief writing sample from recent coursework • The awardee will be chosen through a joint effort of the RHC and the RMHS Social Studies Department. Because they work in education, CK, DM, and ADF will read the writing submissions; JEB expressed a willingness to do so as well. The Commission previously decided that the awardee should receive a copy of At Wood End ADF suggested adding Mr. and Ms. Blodgett§ recent book, Images ofAmeiica• Reading, members agreed. ADF raised the question of whether the award would have a monetary component. SC and SRS said it should; JEB and VA disagreed. VA said she thought it would be inappropriate to use public funds for this use. JEB wondered if the terms of the RHC's trust fund will permit such an expenditure. ADF will follow up with Ms. Mercier. Merit Certificates and Plaques: SC reported that the presentation of the certificate and plaque to the Old Reading Schoolhouse Condominiums will take place at the Reading Public Library on March 9 at 7 PM. JEB said he would contact the Chmnide to let them know about the presentation. VA suggested the Commission write a press release; ADF will draft it, and SC will edit it. SC said she asked the owners of the Postmark, 136 Haven Street, for a time and date to present their certificate and plaque but has not heard back She will follow up. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: SC sent the list of RHC funding requests to Ms. Herrick. Since Town Meeting (174) will vote on the distribution of the federal funds the Town will receive, Ms. Herrick recommended to SC that the RHC lobby TM members. SC will draft a letter explaining the projects the RHC would like to fund and why. Page 1 2 Fq Town of Reading 4Meeting Minutes `a,P�P�IMOP Archives: SC reported that the material donated by the DuPage County Historical Museum has arrived. VA asked about the contents, and SC said they seem to be official documents. Motion: To accept the donation from the DuPage County Historical Museum into the Archives. SC motion, JEB second; vote 5-M. SC will file the documents in the Archives, along with the inventory. ADF suggested that the RHC offer the documents to RMHS for students to transcribe. She will follow up with Mr. Fiore. SC will return to Donald Gallant the items which he donated but which the Archives already contains. Demolition Delay Rules and Regulations: SC suggested the RHC update its Rules and Regulations using JEB's recently circulated language. JEB said he would like to revise once more before the Commission votes, so SC will put it on the agenda for the next meeting. Finances: SRS had no developments to report. SC requested that SRS give the Commission a quarterly update on its bank account totals. New Business: Utility Boxes: JEB will request from Franklin Marval a written proposal for the 2 boxes which the Commission plans for this year. He will ask Mr. Marval if the digital version of the Memorial Park picture which the RHC sent is sufficient for his purposes; SC will scan the original in case Mr. Marval needs a better copy. Executive Session Minutes: The Commission received an email from resident David O'Connor, asking for minutes from the January 2, 2022, meeting about 186 Summer Avenue. Since Ivria Glass Fried, Town Counsel, recently explained that executive session minutes are kept confidential until a matter is resolved, complete minutes from that date cannot be released at this time. SC will inform Mt. O'Connor. Minutes: Motion: to accept the minutes from the joint sessions following dates, as amended: 11.22.2021; 1.6.2022; 2.3.2022 SC motion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0. Modoa: to accept the minutes from 1.12.2022 as amended SC motion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0. Next Meeting: Wednesday, 3.16.2022 at 7:00 PM, perhaps in person Adjourn: Motion: To adjourn. SC motion, JEB second; vote 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM. Page 1 3