HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-08 Historical Commission Minutes� OFq G
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2024-05-08 Time: 6:30 PM
Building:
Reading Town Hall
Location: Berger 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), Sarah
Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin
Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Robin Merrow (RM), Archivist
Michael Kessman, Assistant Director Public Works, Town of Reading
Charlie and Terry Smith, 186 High Street
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 6:36PM
Archivist: Robin Marrow Update
RM prepared a report summarizing the 200 hours of effort she has put In as archivist. She
has done a thorough inventory of all the contents of the archive, which includes more than
1,000 folders, 146 boxes and more than 60 linear feet of information.
RM prepared a Draft Arrangement Plan for the Archive. The commissioners will visit the
Archive at the June meeting to review the plan in situ. She has been working with the
Catalogit software and has proposed the best way to create archival records. As of now, RM,
SC and the Town's IT department have licenses to access the Catalogit software.
Robin has also drafted forms for Deed of Gift, Assessment of Gift and Acknowledgment of
Gift for us to review.
Mr. Charles Parshley contacted the RHC to donate a hardbound copy of the 1942 RMHS
Ploneer yearbook, which was in better condition than the soft -bound version we had in the
Archive.
SC made a motion to accept the donation of the 1942 Pioneer and to deaccession the soft -
bound version, seconded by CK, vote 5-0.
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7:06PM Public Hearina: 172 Hiah Street Addition to Historic Inven
PD read the public notice, published April 24, 2024, to add 172 High Street to the Historic
Inventory. The homeowner, Mr. Christopher DiMattei, had approached the RHC and did the
legwork to complete the Form B for the property, which VA and SB also worked on. PD
reviewed certain architectural and historical features related to the house.
Public Address/Comments/Questions for the Chair/RHC discussion - none
PD moved to close the public hearing at 7:15PM, seconded by JEB, vote 5-0.
PD made motion to accept 172 High Street to the Historic Inventory, seconded by JEB, vote
5-0.
SB will coordinate with Amanda Beatrice (AB) to add this to our inventory and to submit the
Form B to the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Charlie and Terry Smith are neighbors and are interested in adding their house to the
Historic Inventory.
Pleasant Street Center as potential site of new Senior Center
Since our April 10 meeting, focus has shifted to Symonds Way for the new Senior Center.
PD will follow up with Jenna Fiorente regarding a Preservation Restriction Agreement for 49
Pleasant Street.
Preservation Trust Fund and repairs at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Michael Kessman (MK) presented information about the Repair/Resetting of Horizontal
Granite Monument at Laurel Hill Cemetery, which has a total estimated budget of $49,500.
Andrew MacNichol had approached the RHC to see if Historical Commission Preservation
Trust Fund monies could be allocated toward the repair.
MK gave us an update on gravestone repair, including cleaning, gluing, and leveling them,
as well as efforts to fix curbing within the cemetery.
There was discussion around ownership of the cemetery land and the appropriateness of
using the RHC Preservation Trust Fund for repairs. It was determined that research into the
ownership of the cemetery was the next step for MK.
MK asked a question on behalf of Chris Cole regarding a new wooden guard rail on the
common across from the Old South Church on Lowell Street. Protection is needed around a
utility box and light pole, and the discussion was postponed to a later date.
Potential Town Seal chances and land acknowledoement statement - nothing to report - PD
has invited Linda Snow Dockser to our June meeting.
186 Summer Ave. updates - nothing to report.
Garden Club Plant Sale
The RHC has a display for the May 181h event which will feature properties lost to and saved
by the Demolition Delay Bylaw.
RMHS and Austin Prep Collaborations
• ADF has referred the cold war speaker to RMHS, and she sent scans of the Female
Anti -Slavery Society records to Ms. Swindell at Austin Prep.
• SC has communicated with Ms. Allison at RMHS regarding a new Women's History
class, potentially including transcriptions of Emily Ruggle's and Eleanor Bishop's
diaries.
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• The RHC history award certificate, check, and copy of At Wood End are ready for CK
to deliver to RMHS on May 9.
Update on historical research into homes
SB presented a summary of the nine Form Bs she is working on for houses across Reading.
VA is assisting with the architectural details.
Demolition Delay application process
JEB met with AB. He is working with her to make the necessary revisions to the online
process.
Demolition Delay extension
AB has offered to help the RHC with this project. The plan is to craft a motion for
presentation at Town Meeting this fall to increase the demolition delay from six months.
ADF has prepared statistics that show that 20 properties have been lost, four have been
saved, and two are pending. She also collected photos of all the properties for Andrew
MacNichol.
Future event displays
PA has obtained an estimate ($400) from Staples to create the vinyl sign. She also obtained
permission from the Town Clerk to use the town seal on the sign. There was discussion as
to which historical structure to use on the sign. PA is collecting photos from the RHC, and
we will review them at the June meeting.
Community Preservation Act - nothing to report.
Membership and officer positions
VA, SB and CK have terms that expire June 30, and each has Indicated to the town that she
wishes to be considered for reappointment. Officer positions to be discussed at the June
meeting.
Finance/Treasurer's report
• JEB received the $250 check for the RMHS History Award recipient.
• ARPA funds can be spent through FY 25.
• The allocation of FY25 funds was discussed, including up to $500 for a new RHC
banner and $250 for Archive organizational supplies.
SC made a motion to allocate remaining $1,100 from the FY24 General Fund to an
additional 54 hours of archival processing by RM during FY25, seconded by JB, vote 5-0.
Future agenda items
• Archive visit and arrangement plan
• Memorial Park Flags
Review minutes from the April 10"' meeting
PD made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by JEB, vote 5-0.
PD made a motion to adjourn at 9:28PM, seconded by JEB, vote 5-0.
Next Meeting: June 12, 2024, 6:3013M, Town Hall - Conference Room
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