HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-20 Historical Commission Minutes1
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Town of Reading TOWN CLERK
Meeting Minutes READING, MA.
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2922 AUG I I PH 3p11
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2022-7-20 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Draft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virgina Adams (VA); Jonathan Barnes (JEB); Sarah Brukllacchio (SB);
Samantha Couture, Chair (SC); Pino D'Orazlo (PD); Amelia Devin Freedman,
Secretary (ADF); Christine Keller (CK); Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer
(SRS)
Members - Not Present:
n/a
others Present:
Virginia Blodgett (VB); Everett Blodgett (EB); Fidel Maltez (FM)
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman
Topics of Discussion:
SC called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. She welcomed new associate member, SB, to the
Commission.
Rules and Regulations:
SC opened the public heating. JEB read the public notice aloud.
The Commission discussed the suggestions on the draft from Ivria Fried, Town Counsel, and made
several revisions.
SC dosed the public hearing.
Mod= to accept the Rules and Regulations as amended.
SC motion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0.
JEB will make the agreed-upon changes and submit the final document to the Town Clerk.
186 Summer Avenue: FM informed the Commission that both the Town and Criterion have had
the property appraised. Next, FM and Ms. Fried will meet with Criterion representatives to compare
appraisals. FM will keep the RHC and the Historic District Commission informed.
Since the RHC has considered having the property put on the "Most Endangered Historic
Resources" list, CK attended a training session held by Preservation Massachusetts. Given the time-
consuming application, the imminent application deadline, and (especially) the ill -will that such a
nomination would likely inspire with Criterion, the Commission decided not to nominate the
property at this time.
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VB's Civil War Research: VB described her recent research of the Town's Civil War soldiers. She
has compiled her work into two bound volumes, which will be available at the Reading Public
Library (RPL) and the Town Clerk's office. She and EB also put together a set of photographs of
an original volume from the Town Clerk's office, entitled "Record ofthe soldiers who went fmm Reading in
the Great Rebellion which began in 1861 and ended in 1865, with the bounty paid to eacb person and the amount of
aidfindsl ed to theirfamitiet, kept by jamer C. Cmobeg one of the Selectmen'. This collection will also be
available at RPL.
Motion To accept, with grateful appreciation, the gift from VB and EB of photographs of
the volume entitled "Record of the coldters who went from Reading in the Great Rebelbon which began in
1861 and ended in 1865, with the bounty paid to each person and the amount of andfurnished to their
families, kept by James C Campbell, one of the Selectmen."
SC motion, SRS second; vote: 5-0-0.
322 Haven Street: SC will try to arrange a tour for the RHC to tout this Inventory property, which
is now on the market.
71 Franklin Street: VA, CK, and SRS toured this Inventory property, which will go on the market
in September. CK will save their notes on the computer in the Town Archives.
11 Oak Street: The owners, who plan a partial demolition, will attend the August meeting.
55 Hopkins Street: The Quannapowitt Players went before the Community Planning and
Development Commission (CPDC) on July 11, requesting permission to install a new sign. Because
the building is on the Inventory, Andrew MacNichol, Staff Planner, asked if the RHC had any
feedback on the proposal. The Commission, however, was unable to weigh in prior to the hearing.
53 Eaton Street: The owners want to put their house on the Inventory. Using the research done in
the past by Ron Weston, former member of the RHC, VA will complete the required "Form B." SC
will explain the process for putting the house on the Inventory to the owners.
Fall Street Faire (September 11):
Modoa to share a booth at the Fall Street Faire with Reading Antiquarian Society
SC motion, JEB second, vote 5-0-0.
Motion to continue to allow EB and VB to sell copies of At WoodEnd as a boodle with
their book, Reading.• Images ofAmerine
SC motion, JEB second, vote 5-0-0.
Arts Reading (October 15): VA will attend an Arts Reading meeting this month and will inform
them that the RHC will participate in the event.
Lafayette Marker•. The marker will be unveiled to front of Latham and Latham, 643 Main Street, at
a public ceremony on August 19.
Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) Update Request: The MHC has requested an
updated list of Commission members, including their contact information. SC asked for and
received permission to provide this information; she will follow up.
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RHC Brochure: CK has revised the RHC trifold.
discussion in August.
She asked members to review her draft for
Responding to Phone and Email Inquiries: SC noted that the Commission regularly receives
inquiries from the public and that she would appreciate assistance in replying. She proposed
dividing the inquiries by topic and assigning each member a topic (or topics). She will make a list
and distribute it for members' approval.
Finances : SRS had nothing to report
New Business
52 Salem Street The owners are planning to sell their house, which is on the Inventory; they are
requesting RHC guidance. SC will follow up.
Town Focus Gm W- The Town is running a focus group for members of commissions, boards, and
committees to provide information about the needs of senior residents. VA will attend.
Reading Memorial High School MMI 51 Track Naming Committee- CK, the RHC representative on
the committee, reported that there will be a meeting on August 17 at which the residents can give
their opinions on the proposed name.
Thumb Drive: VA received a thumb drive with RHC material from Cad Mitmight, a former RHC
member. SC will take the key to the Archives. ]EB suggested the material on the key be uploaded
to the computer in the Archives.
457 West Street VA responded to a phone message from the owners, who wanted to know how to
research the age of their house. She asked SC to send the owners a copy of the RHC brochure,
"Researching the Age of Your House." SC will ask Amanda Beatrice, Senior Administrative
Assistant, to upload the brochure to the Commission's website.
Obituary project SRS reported she has made significant progress with the project. Ms. Beatrice
suggested making it available on the Commission's website.
Review Draft Minutes:
Motion: to accept the draft minutes from 6.8.2022 as amended.
SRS motion, SC second, vote 5-0-0.
Next Meeting: August 10
Meetings for the Rest of the Year: September 14, October 12, November 9, and December 14
Adjournment:
Motion: to adjourn
SC notion, SRS second; vote 5-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM
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