HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-12 Historical Commission Minutes� Orq
Town of ReadingL I V L V
Meeting Minutes TOVYNCLERK
r� P.FAMA1,,, AAA.
oa �' 9x-
201 SEP 18 PM 2: 32
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2023-07-12 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), Pamela Adrian (PA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Pino
D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), Christine Keller (CK)
Members - Not Present:
Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC)
others Present:
Jocelyn Gould, Virginia Blodgett, Everett Blodgett
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 7:OOPM. PD made VA a voting member for the meeting.
PD welcomed new member Pamela Adrian to the RHC.
Guests: Jocelyn Gould, Local History and Local Reference Librarian; Virginia Blodgett and
Everett Blodgett, Reading Antiquarian Society, attended by phone.
1. The 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party is December 16, 2023. The question
to the group was what can we do to highlight Reading's role in history? A recent
survey conducted by RPL indicated that town residents are interested in learning
more about Reading history. ADF suggested working with the RMHS History
Department, possibly corresponding with National History Day. Jocelyn mentioned
some of the resources at RPL including Miriam Barclay's local history articles,
digitized versions of the Chronicle that could be used to develop materials - banners,
walking tours of Laurel Hill Cemetery, neighborhoods, etc. for the celebration. JEB
suggested a series of articles in the Chronicle and the Post leading up to 12/16/23,
recounting the relevant historical events and participation of Reading residents.
Everett Blodgett noted that the Parker Tavern has hosted historic encampments and
could be a site for celebration. He also mentioned Bruce Morang's The Town That
Went to War as a source of historical Information. A committee to include Virginia
Blodgett, Everett Blodgett, Jocelyn Gould and two members of the RHC will be
formed to explore ideas for Reading's celebration of the 2501 Anniversary of the
Boston Tea Party and America25O (2026). The RHC will discuss and nominate
committee members at our next meeting.
2. RHC will share a booth with the RAS at The Readina Street Faire, September 10,
2023. The cost of the booth is $110. JEB made a motion to approve up to $65 to
cover half the cost of the booth. PD second. Vote 5 - 0.
Page 1 1
3. William Broaddus, a journalist from the Eagle-Tribune/The Readinas has contacted
Jocelyn Gould, Virginia Blodgett and RHC looking for information about Laurel Hill
Cemetery for an article he is writing for The Readings magazine.
Virginia Blodgett and Everett Blodgett left the meeting
Jocelyn shared that she had photographed the 1920 voter registration books from the Town
Clerk's office, which are the records of 800 to 1,000 voter names and addresses. This was
the first election where women could vote. Jocelyn will post this information on the RPL
website.
The RHC shared information with Jocelyn about Mr. Vernon Chandler's travel and research
about WWII Soldiers from Reading who are buried overseas. The RHC would like to work
with RPL to have Mr. Chandler present his findings to a broader audience in Reading.
Jocelyn Gould left the meeting
Five Reading structures were added to the Massachusetts Historical Commission Inventory
of Historic and Archaeological Assets: 115 Eaton St., 158 Salem St., 767 Main St., 832 Main
St., and 27 Hillcrest Rd. The Form Bs for each property are now available on MACRIS and
the Town of Reading website.
Discussion of the management and distribution of Form Bs followed, including which parties
maintain binders of Form Bs for Reading properties. JEB agreed to investigate the process
with Amanda Beatrice, Senior Administrative Assistant, who supports RHC. A structure must
be on Reading's Historical and Architectural Inventory before a homeowner can apply for a
Historic House Marker. SC managed the Historic House Marker program as Chair, and PD
will review the process with her.
186 Summer Avenue - nothing to report.
583 Main Street - The parapets have been removed
25 Haven Street - JEB and SB (by Zoom) attended the CPDC meeting on July 10, where a
site plan was presented by the project architect and approved by the CPDC. The plan calls
for the renovation of the former Reading Municipal Light Department offices, and more
recently a Rite Aid pharmacy, and construct a mosque and educational center. At the
meeting, SB spoke about the building architect, George Sidebottom, and the art deco design
of the property. At the meeting JEB invited the architect and applicant to attend the next
RHC meeting to discuss Including additional historic building fagade elements into their
design plans, and the project architect, Farouk Youssef, confirmed that he is willing to meet
with the RHC. PD will coordinate with Mary Benedetto, Senior Town Planner, to invite him to
our next meeting.
RHC Inventory/MHC Inventory reconciliation - postponed until August 16
Archive software and archivist Robin Merrow - postponed until August 16
Gladys Sias (1905-1996) RMHS diploma - postponed until August 16
Gilman Parker/Hospital Trust Fund - postponed until August 16
Reading Garden Club plant sale inquiries (two) - postponed until August 16
Future agenda topics
• ADF suggested we designate an RHC liaison to the RMHS history department: Mr.
D'Entremont (WWII European Theatre and Pacific Theatre class), Ms. Allison
(transcription project of Civil War letters) and the annual RHC history award.
Page 1 2
VA and CK attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Rice Moody on July 12,
which celebrated the official transfer of the property to Girl Scouts of Eastern
Massachusetts. At the ceremony, VA was approached by a Reading resident who
would like to donate a historic painting of the original camp structure to the Town
Historical Archive. The resident's great-grandparents were part of the Mothers and
Fathers Club, which established Camp Rice Moody. VA will request a photo of the
painting to share at the next RHC meeting.
Mary Benedetto, Senior Planner - Town of Reading, would like to meet with the RHC
to discuss the MBTA Communities Law and history of zoning in the town.
Finances/Treasurer's Report:
The year-end (6/30/2023) report has not been received from the town. Following our Zoom
meeting on June 28, JEB worked to encumber remaining FY23 funds for the archivist and
archive software, as well as pay our invoice to Arts Reading, prior to fiscal year-end.
Review minutes from the 6/28/2023 Zoom Meeting and Executive Sessions:
The RHC met in Executive Session six times in 2021 and 2022. ADF volunteered to review
the Executive Session minutes and determine if they can be published. CK made a motion
to authorize ADF to review the minutes on behalf of RHC. JEB second. Vote 5 - 0.
The 6/28/2023 meeting minutes were approved as submitted. JEB made the motion to
approve. PD second. Vote 5 - 0.
Motion to adjourn and time of motion were not recorded.
Next meeting: Wednesday, August 16, 7:OOPM. Town Hall
Page 1 3