HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-08 Historical Commission MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERKREADING, M(�
2123 MAR -9 AM 10.37
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2023-02-08 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virginia Adams (VA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Pino
D'Orazio (PD), Christine Keller (CK), Sharlene Reynolds Santo - Treasurer
(SRS)
Members - Not Present:
Samantha Couture, Amelia Devin Freedman
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order 7:03PM.
JEB chaired the meeting and made Associates VA and CK voting members for the evening.
186 Summer Avenue
JEB has spoken to SC and Town Manager Fidel Maltez about the property. It appears that
Criterion may want to pursue the sale of the property. The RHC will review the details of the
Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA).
583 Main Street
The Town building inspector has met with the owners. JEB followed up with Town Planner
Andrew MacNichol regarding the condition of the pilasters (rehabilitation?) and parapet (no
decision). Andrew advised that the CPDC Decision contains no conditions or requirements
regarding the parapet. There is no further follow-up for historical purposes.
25 Haven Street
The CPDC Hearing is scheduled for March 13.
GIS Map of Houses on the RHC Inventory/MHC Inventory reconciliation
CK has been working to reconcile the inventory list maintained by RHC against the MHC
inventory. Some of the gaps include buildings at Camp Curtis Guild, which were submitted by
ICON Architecture to the MHC in 2003, and properties in Reading's Historic Districts. CK will
continue to work with VA to sort through the inventory so that RHC can determine how to
proceed with the GIS Map.
Vernon Chandler/WWII Soldiers buried overseas
Mr. Chandler has been referred to Jocelyn Gould at RPL. We would like to invite Mr. Chandler
to present to the RHC.
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Postmark Preservation Plaque Award
SB and JEB delivered the award to Ugo DiBiase, DiBiase Homes, for mounting preferably on
the exterior front of the building. The RHC will plan for a publicity photo with the management
in May as part of Preservation Month.
ACE Flats/24 Gould Street signage
CK reported that the verbiage submitted by RHC to ACE Flats is displayed on a panel in the
communal area.
Archive/catalog software
SC is coordinating the acquisition of the PastPerfect Archive Software. She has also reached
out to the Reading Antiquarian Society, RPL and The Town to see if there is any interest in
using the same software.
Finances
SRS reported that there is $47,000 in the Preservation Trust Account and $1,295 in the budget
account.
There was a question about the ARPA funds and if they needed to be spent by June 30. SRS
will explore.
New Business
SRS completed scanning 1,300 obituaries that VA had collected. All obituaries are now on
the Archive computer and named using ADA format.
PD took four folders of clippings to scan and place on Archive computer.
SB and VA will collaborate to develop an updated version of the Researching the Age of Your
Home brochure. Copies will be printed, and the brochure will be posted on the Town Website.
CK suggested creating a map on the Town Website of buildings that have received
Preservation Awards.
Review minutes from 1/11/2023 Meeting
SRS motion to accept, JEB second, 5-0 to accept.
Motion to adjourn at 8:40PM by CK, PD second, 5-0 to accept
Next Meeting: March 8
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