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Meeting Minutes 11 A C I N'I M
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2023-11-08 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), Pam Adrian (PA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB) Sarah
Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin
Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 7:01PM.
hodist Church Communitv Leader Interview For
Former RHC commissioner Ron Weston asked the RHC to provide input to Old South's
community outreach to gather ideas for potential uses for the historic property. Interviews
have been conducted throughout the Reading community. PD prepared the Interview Form
based on the discussion at this evening's RHC meeting.
Hose House documents
VA brought a collection of Hose House documents to be donated to the Town Archive. Some
of the items included Treasurer's Reports (1931-1972), Certificates of Membership, Social
Events Flyers, savings bank passbooks, etc. Our archivist, Robin Merrow (RM), will review
and summarize the content of the collection to present to the RHC for an accession vote.
Future Event Displays
PA has been working on a new banner design for RHC. She would like to draw a historic
house for the banner, and SB will provide photos of historic houses for inspiration. CK
suggested that name tags could be created to complement the new banner as part of the
RHC brand.
VA suggested that the RHC could develop presentations for homeowners on the Historical
and Architectural Inventory and interested parties, e.g., material on historic houses that
have been moved within Reading.
Other ideas for community outreach might include a QR code walking tour of the historic
utility box wrap artwork or writing a letter to homeowners on the Historical and
Architectural Inventory informing them of RHC activities.
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Historic Inventory Process
The Inventory is available on the Town website, and as new properties are added, the
spreadsheet will need to be updated. SB will manage this process and work with Amanda
Beatrice (AB) to ensure version control of the spreadsheet. Two properties need to be added
to the spreadsheet: 115 Eaton Street and 158 Salem Street.
ADF worked with AB to scan the Town's list of street renumbering (1936-1944), and this file
is posted on the Town website.
25 Haven Street
SC sent verbiage to the project architect, Mr. Youssef, for the historic plaque.
META Communities Law
The RHC has requested the Town GIS coordinator to generate a map of properties from the
Historical and Architectural Inventory within the MBTA zoning area once that area is defined.
Cumminas Foundation/Cummings Community Giving
The RHC thanks SB for recommending RHC to receive a Cummings Community Giving
donation. JEB has received the $1,000 donation, and it has been deposited to the RHC
Donation Account. JEB thanked the Cummings Foundation for the donation.
Reading Arts Fundraiser action items
Two inquiries were received at the October 14 event, and PD will follow up with each of
them.
Rev 250 Committee - Nothing to report.
186 Summer Ave. - Nothing new to report.
Archive Software and Archivist
RM has been working in the Archive two days per week. She has created accession forms
for gifts and donation and is organizing items to be accessioned. SC is directing her efforts.
Historic House Marker Program
PD has applications for three house markers. The RHC discussed the approximate date of
construction for each residence and confirmed that all dates are "circa."
Audio Tapes from Joan Feeney - Nothing to report.
Future Agenda Topics
• 2022 Annual Report (Town of Reading) - vote to accession to Archives
Home Rule Charter Review - JEB is on a committee to review the Town Charter, and the
number of members and tenure of RHC commissioners will be reviewed.
Finance/Treasurer's Report
JEB noted that $56 was paid for the RHC share of the Street Faire booth; $526 encumbered
funds for Archivist.
Minutes from the October 11, 2023, meeting were accepted as amended. PD moved to
accept; JEB seconded; approved 5-0.
Executive Sessions minutes - nothing to report.
Motion to adjourn 8:43PM by PD, JEB seconded, vote 5-0.
Next meeting: December 13, 2023, 7:OOPM in Berger Room
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