No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-08 Historical Commission Minutes�OFRRq� Town of Reading TORECE LED Meeting Minutes TOWN NGMA. 2623 MAY -4 AM 11: 35 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2023-03-08 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), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Christine Keller (CK), Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS) Members - Not Present: Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Amelia Devin Freedman - Others Present: Gina Dulong, Josh Dulong, Boriana Milenova, Brad Rhodes, Marie Panek Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 7:02 PM. SC made Associates VA and CK voting members for the evening. Public Hearing to review the addition of two houses to the RHC Historical and Architectural Inventory: SC read a statement to open the public hearing and to welcome guests to the meeting. 115 Eaton Street. The homeowners and neighbors/abutters were present at the meeting. The Inventory Form B for the property was prepared and researched by VA, SB and former RHC member Ron Weston, with significant input from the homeowners. SB read the Historical Narrative, and VA read the Architectural description of the property from Inventory Form B. SC made a motion to accept 115 Eaton Street to the RHC Historical and Architectural Inventory. SRS seconded the motion. Vote 5-0 to accept. The Inventory Form B will now be submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) by SB and JEB. It was noted that this house has been in the same family for more than one hundred years and would qualify as a Historic Homestead. Only two homes in Reading are currently designated as Historic Homesteads. 158 Salem Street. The homeowners were not present for the hearing. A neighbor/abutter was present. The Inventory Form B for the property was prepared and researched by VA and SB, with significant input from the homeowners. SB read the Historical Narrative, and VA read the Architectural description of the property from Inventory Form B. Page 1 1 SC made a motion to accept 158 Salem Street to the RHC Historical and Architectural Inventory. CK seconded the motion. Vote 5-0 to accept. SC made a motion to end the Public Hearing. VA seconded. Vote 5-0 to close the Public Hearing. The issue of 300' abutters came up in discussion after the Public Hearing closed, as some abutters near 158 Salem Street were not Informed by letter of tonight's hearing. SC to follow up with Senior Administrative Assistant Amanda Beatrice. 186 Summer Avenue - nothing to report 583 Main Street - A building permit was issued January 24, 2023 - no further details 25 Haven Street - The property Is on the CPDC agenda for March 13. SB has written an essay about architect George Sidebottom and will read it at the CPDC meeting. GIS Map of Houses on the RHC Inventory/MHC Inventory reconciliation VA found the Inventory Form A filed with MHC for the buildings at Camp Curtis Guild. CK has committed to prepare an overview of the properties that are not listed on both the RHC and MHC inventories for the next meeting. Vernon Chandler/WWII Soldiers buried overseas SC has extended an invitation for Mr. Vernon to speak at a future RHC meeting. Postmark -Preservation Award Plaque - nothing to report ARPA funds/Archive/catalog software status The Past Perfect Software will cost $1,000 and then $700 per year for license fees for 10 seats. SC is exploring sharing these seats with Reading Public Library and Reading Antiquarian Society. SC is also gathering cost information about another archive software program called Proficio. It was noted that the Town of Reading IT department must approve any software purchase. SC will write a job description for the Archivist job. Our budget is $5,000 The ARPA funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. Finances - SRS reported that we have $795.58 left in the FY23 budget Officers for 2023 - tabled for next meeting New Business: • Friends and Family Day, June 10 - tabled for next meeting • VA presented two Items for donation to the Archives that advertised Reading businesses: a yardstick from Chapin -Nichols, and a pair of aluminum tongs - accession vote at April meeting. SC made a motion to adjourn at 8:48PM. SRS seconded the motion. Vote 5-0 to adjourn Next meeting: April 12, 2023 Page 12