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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-17 Historic District Commission MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED = Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK RI:AC;rlt, MA. aJ•'IX<OPP� R-0— Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2023 JUN 12 AH 10: 20 Historic District Commission Date: 2023-05-17 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman, Everett Blodgett, Ilene Bornstein Associate Member: Virginia Adams Members - Mot Present: Greg Maganzini and Carl Mittnight Others Present: George and Maura Bouton Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Chair D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mr. D'Orazio elevated Virginia Adams to a voting member 206 West Street - Fence George and Maura Bouton, the owners of 206 West Street, provided the following Information on the proposed fence: • Property is partially fenced in by the neighbor's fence; • The fence will close in the rear of the property; • The property length is long in the rear; • The fence will be a cedar, stockade fence - 6 -feet in the front and 4 -feet in the rear; • On the left side of the house there will be a low fence; • There will be a double wide gate; and • The fence is for safety reasons - to keep dog in the yard Ms. Adams said she originally thought the proposal was to install the fence in the front of the house and is relieved to see it is only proposed in the rear of the property. Mr. D'Orazio complimented the owner for choosing wood material. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the cedar wood fence at 206 West Street along the rear of the property - height not to exceed 6 -feet. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. The Commission agreed the proposed fence is insubstantial to the historic neighborhood, and a Public Hearing is not necessary but the abutters are required to be notified. Mr. D'Orazio explained the process on how to notify the abutters, and suggested that the applicant reach out to Amanda Beatrice at the town hall. Mr. Bouton let the Commission know in the future he will be grading his driveway. Mr. Blodgett responded the Commission does not have purview on project at ground grade. niifft Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 186 Summer Avenue Mr. D'Orazio informed the Commission he responded to Betsy Henneberry's email asking for an update on the property at 186 Summer Avenue. New Business Ms. Davin man said she has a meeting regarding the 2024 RMLD calendar, and asked for suggestions on properties in the Historic District. Ms. Adams asked that solar panels be a topic on a future agenda. Mr. D'Orazio brought forward an earlier discussion that the Commission started regarding additions to historic buildings. Ms. Devin -Freedman reminded the Commission she drafted language and the members were supposed to review and bring their thoughts to discuss and potentially add to the "Rules and Regulations". The Commission agreed to add the proposed language discussion on a future agenda. The Commission briefly discussed wood versus artificial material and agreed to continue the discussion on a future agenda. Review of Minutes: September 21, 2022, March 23. 2023 and April 19. 2023 Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the minutes of September 21, 2022, March 23, 2023and April 19, 2023 as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bornstein and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7.40 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bornstein and approved with a 5-0-0 vote.