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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-20 Historic District Commission MinutesO� OFgp./ Town of Reading REC.EI VEU e Meeting Minutes TO�fN°CLE,RK 'J9'LV[OR[� Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2013 OCT 19 AM 10:49 Historic District Commission Date: 2023-09-20 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, Greg Maganzini and Ilene Bornstein Associate Member: Virginia Adams, Ann Ward Members - Not Present: Others Present: Jameson Calitri, Kim DeCrescenzo Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Chair D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mr. D'Orazio introduced Ann Ward the new associate member. The Commission acknowledged Carl Mittnight and thanked him for his service as an associate member. 115 West Street - Windows Mr. Calitri, the owner of 115 West Street, presented his proposal to replace 10 windows in the sunroom: Existing windows are wood; 3 windows are in the front of the house and can be seen from the right-of-way; 7 windows are in the rear and cannot be seen from the right-of-way; The original windows are 12-lites - the proposed are 10-lites; The size of the window will change slightly; and The windows will be replaced with Pella all wood Duraclad The Commission discussed the location of the windows and proposed material. They went through the steps to confirm the proposal qualifies for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. D'Orazio asked that the Certificate states all 10 windows approved to be replaced. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 115 West Street to install 30 Pella replacement windows with standard clad pine and Duraclad. The motion was seconded by Mr. Maganzini and approved with a 5-0-0 roll call vote. The Commission agreed a public hearing isn't necessary. Mr. D'Orazio said the abutters will need to be notified and explained the process. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion that a public hearing is not required. The motion was seconded by Mr. Maganzini and approved with a 5-0-0 roll call vote. West Street Commercial Vehicles Mr. D'Orazio brought forward the recent email sent by Kim DeCrescenzo, 188 West Street, regarding buses that the MBTA subcontracted for a few months to pick up passengers at the r Town of Reading = Meeting Minutes a ire» °un,tonw" Reading train station and drop off at the transit station in Woburn, MA. Ms. DeCrescenzo expressed safety concerns with the buses driving down West Street for children walking or riding their bike to school. She also noted that the Town's Traffic Rules and Regulations prohibits large commercial trucks from using certain streets in Reading which includes West Street; and in her opinion the MBTA buses should be stopped from using the street. The Commission discussed the email and noted: • Understands the concern from the resident; • The MBTA might have received approval from the town - or maybe it is considered an emergency while the train tracks are being repaired; • The tracks should be repaired by early November; • Concern that there is no enforcement from the town to ensure heavy commercial vehicles do not use West Street; • The police, DPW and town manager should be notified - it was noted from Mr. D'Orazio that he forwarded the email to Fidel Maltez, Town Manager; • The Commission has purview over the properties on West Street but not the roadway; • The size of the sign that states no heavy commercial vehicles is small and not very visible to a driver; and • Mr. D'Orazio will follow up with the Mr. Maltez to inform him of the commission's concern Ms. DeCrescenzo arrived at the meeting and Mr. D'Orazio recapped what the commission discussed. Ms. DeCrescenzo expressed her concerns about the buses cutting through West Street and that the town is not enforcing the rules and regulations. She informed the commission that she has contacted the MBTA, police, town manager, HDC and Yankee Bus Company - and listed other commercial vehicles that drive on West Street: Coca Cola, Thurston Foods, Snap-On and JA Miara. Ms. Devin -Freedman reiterated that the commission does not have purview over the street and suggested that she notify the local papers, and talk to the neighbors. Ms. Adams concurred that the Individual members have empathy but as a commission the HDC does not have purview. Mr. Maganzini commented that the MBTA might be exempt due to track replacement, but the long term is that other commercial vehicles are utilizing West Street which should not be allowed. The Commission agreed the buses should be going a different route to the transit station - up Lowell Street to Route 93. Mr. D'Orazio said he will follow up with Mr. Maltez with this suggestion. 133 West Street - Fence Mr. D'Orazio said Warren Boinay, the owner at 133 West Street, applied for an application to replace the existing wood fence. He gave the owner approval to install due to the replacement is in-kind. After a brief discussion, the commission agreed the fence is in-kind and approved the replacement. Mr. D'Orazio will research to see how in-kind replacements were handled in the past by the commission and if a Certificate needs to be approved. 186 Summer Avenue Mr. D'Orazio updated the commission and said that the private sale of 186 Summer Avenue might be at a standstill. The Reading Historical Commission (RHC) discussed the property w� orx� Town of Reading -� Meeting Minutes at their last meeting and it was agreed if the private sale falls through the RHC will attend a Select Board meeting to inform them they would like to move forward with litigation. He suggested a future joint meeting with the RHC to discuss options. Ms. Adams pointed out that the Certificate of Appropriateness for 186 Summer Avenue has expired. Guidelines Discussion - Additions to Historic Structures The Commission reviewed the language that was drafted by Ms. Devin -Freedman regarding changes to the Guidelines - Additions to Historic Structures. The Commission approved the language and it was agreed to hold a public hearing. Mr. D'Orazio will work with Amanda Beatrice, admin staff, to schedule the public hearing. Mr. Blodgett brought forward a property on West Street that paved his driveway to connect to the neighbors - and said ground level projects need to be addressed. Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission he attended the META forum and is concerned the new zoning could allow multi -units to be built in the Summer Avenue District by -right. Ms. Devin -Freedman responded that Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director and Mary Benedetto, Senior Staff Planner attended a RHC meeting and it was stated that the town is aware of the District being included in the new zoning, but those properties won't be affected. Ms. Devin -Freedman suggested that the Commission think about other items that the members might want to be addressed in the Guidelines, and to have one public hearing for all changes. She responded to the ground level concern brought up by Mr. Blodgett and stated a change to the Zoning Bylaw is a more difficult process. Ms. Adams said she would like to discuss artificial material. Ms. Adams said monthly meetings should be considered. This would allow the Commission to do "housekeeping". Mr. Blodgett asked for opinions on what should be done about residents who don't comply with the Rules and Regulations. Residents have done projects on their property without informing the Commission - for example: install fences under 7 -feet, changing the appearance of their property - driveway expansion. The Commission discussed sending a letter to the property owners. It was suggested that a member contact Ms. Beatrice to see if the online system can be updated to capture those properties when a building permit is not required. Updated Applications Discussion The Commission reviewed the new online application and suggested changes. Ms. Devin - Freedman will contact Ms. Beatrice to update the application requiring pictures to be uploaded by applicant. Future Agenda Items Mr. D'Orazio went over a few items he will add to the next agenda. Review Meeting Minutes from June 18. 2023 and Executive Session Minutes Ms. Devin -Freedman said she was told at the recent Open Meeting Law and Pubic Records Training that Executive Minutes must be reviewed every 3 -months by a member of the Commission. Mr. D'Orazio asked Ms. Devin -Freedman to be in charge of the minutes. Ms. Devin -Freedman agreed and said there are 5 sets of Executive Session Minutes and it is her opinion that they are not released at this time. Town of Reading yoc Meeting Minutes Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the minutes of June 8, 2023 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Maganzini and approved with a 5-0-0 roll call vote. Mr. D'Orazio said the next meeting will be on October 18, 2023. Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission he will not be able to attend. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bornstein and approved with a 5-0-0 roll call vote.