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Home My WebLink About2024-10-09 Historical Commission Minutes0 Town of Reading = Meeting Minutes FI'h 5� IAy00.r0.PP �(' ;O V U Board - Committee - Commission - Council: - Historical Commission Date: 2024-10-09 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), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK) Members - Not Present: Samantha Couture (SC) Others Present: Linda and Salvatore Russo Aaron and Kara Parry Margie and Ted Calman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: PD called the meeting to order at 6:35PM and made VA a voting member for the evening. VA's 409 Grove Street Files for accession to the Archive - postponed to November meeting In an email (dated 9/18/24) and letter (dated 10/2/24), Ben Haley, National Register Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), informed the RHC that 409 Grove Street is to be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. The Samuel Foster House (REA.222 in the State Inventory), individually listed in the National Register (NR) in 1990, was moved from its original location at 288 Grove Street in 1998 to 409 Grove Street without following the procedures outlined in the NR Regulations for a property to keep its NR designation following a move. ADF has communicated this to the homeowners. The Form B for the property was prepared by the Architectural and Preservation Association. There is a process in the NR regulations by which reapplication to the NR may be pursued; JEB will look into this possibility. 32 Lowell Street/facade preservation SB has researched the facility designed by George Sidebottom and determined that the facade was fashioned with Mohegan granite with flecks of iron. She will follow up with Bret Bennett (BB) for contact information about the company restoring the facade. 25 Haven Street/Art Deco light fixture preservation Three out of four of the light fixtures appear okay. SB will follow up with BB for contact information for the new mosque project architect to ensure the fourth fixture is functional. There was a question as to whether SC had prepared verbiage for a historic plaque in the building. Accession of Daniel Pratt clock - postponed to November meeting Page I 1 Email response system The discussion about responding to email inquiries to RHC continues. It was suggested that we continue to organize response by subject matter: Demo Delay (JEB), People (SB, ADF), Archive (SC), Education/RPL (ADF, CK), etc. This subject requires further discussion. 7:OOPM PD called the Public Hearing to order for the addition of 132 Summer Ave., 281 Summer Ave., 129 Pleasant Street, and 55 Hancock Street to the Historical and Architectural Inventory. PD read Bylaw 7.2.3.1 Procedures for expanding the list (of Historic Structures). SB and VA prepared the Form Bs for the properties, applying VA's expertise writing the Architectural Description and SB's penchant and talent for research writing the Historic Narrative. The Architectural Descriptions follow: SS Hancock Street "This imposing house flaunts a large porch across the front gable end. The porch is supported by square columns flanked with decorative brackets and trimmed with spindles along the roof edge and is skirted with horizontal boarding. It Is of the Italianate Period (1850-1875). The foundation is of brick and stone. A one-story projecting bay window ensemble appears on the first floor and the main roof line above is interrupted to form a peak with round window. The structure is tall, allowing living space on the third floor which has several skylights. A large connecting addition was built on the site of a former barn." The homeowners and neighbors were present at the meeting. The house has been owned by three generations of the same family. 132 Summer Ave. "Built in the manner of an American Four -Square, this house is a high style rendition of the more typical image. The characteristic hip roof is intercepted by a low dormer with small windows. The main block is clapboarded on the first floor and shingled on the second with a slight projection between the floors. Windows are large with six over one glass and three bays across. A porch spans the front facade and has square posts and balusters. The front door is the original wood with glass top and brass mail slot. A windowed bump -out on the first floor (north side) is a notable architectural feature however, the main feature is a decorative window above the front porch which is ornamented with diamond shaped small cut glass panes." 281 Summer Ave. "Like its neighbors, this house makes a statement that cannot be overlooked. The two and one- half story (Italianate or Victorian Style) house is gable end to the street with a full front porch that wraps to the north and an offset front door with full sidelights. Above is a projecting bay from half of the main gable end. It features a pair of narrow windows and a steep roof supported with decorative brackets. The main gable Is peaked with a small decorative triangular window. Most noteworthy is the exterior sheathing which consists of cut shingles with a square notch cut out at the lower edge. This shingle style can be found in other nearby houses. The main block is intercepted by cross gables. A narrow exterior chimney extends from the ground level to well above the roofline. Windows are two -over - one. A three -bay contemporary garage has been added front -facing on the left side." 129 Pleasant St. "This tidy traditional five bay, two story house is of a modest nature. It faces the street and has a welcoming enclosed front porch, with a door on the right side. The main entrance within the porch has a solid door flanked by two black lamp -style light fixtures and matching mailboxes. Windows are two over two and likely not original. Corner boards are narrow and culminate with a horizontal trim board at the attic level on the end facade. A single -story Page 1 2 addition extends to the rear of the main block. The clapboard siding appears to be vinyl and window shutters of the same material. A brick foundation adds visual interest." PD and the RHC thanked SB and VA for their outstanding work preparing the Form Bs. The homeowners and neighbors of 55 Hancock Street also expressed their appreciation for the detail provided in the Form B. JEB moved to close the hearing, PD second, Vote 5 - 0. At 7:50PM, PD moved to include the properties on the Historical and Architectural Inventory, CK second, Vote 5 - 0. G000le Docs archive ADF set up Google drive for documents shared among the RHC. Fall Street Faire and Arts Reading events inquiries There were two inquiries from the Arts Reading event on October S. One of the inquiries was from a visitor from Woburn's Historical Commission who mentioned language in their bylaw regarding a partial vs. full demolition. JEB will research this. Connected Reading (October 22 at RPL) JEB and SB will represent RHC at this event. Adding homes to the Historic Inventory update SB has prepared three more Form Bs for review at the November meeting. Town seal and land acknowledgment update - nothing to report School Committee's Athletic Facility Naming Advisory Committee CK reported the committee met on October 2. Pete Moscariello made a presentation about the Phil Vaccaro Facility Naming Request, and Kevin Mulvey and Dennis Debenedetto made a presentation for the Charlie Hardy Facility Naming Request. Both presentations demonstrated enthusiastic community support for the naming requests. The committee will meet again on October 16 to hear from the public about the Facility Naming Requests. Vernon Chandler future speaking engagements Mr. Chandler will speak to Mr. D'Entremont's history class at RMHS. ADF is working to schedule a presentation at RPL. CatalogIt software - discussion moved to Finance portion of meeting Demolition Delay application process Amanda Beatrice, Administrative Specialist, Town of Reading, has implemented the changes that JEB discussed with her. Community Preservation Act - The committee will meet in two weeks. SB represents RHC on the committee. Town Archive review and updates - discussion postponed to November meeting Finance/Treasurer's report JEB reported that the Town budget reports are accurate. He made a motion to allocate $9,176.65 AARPA funds as follows, ADF seconded, Vote 5 - 0: • Up to $1,500 for CatalogIt (to upload Archive records) • Up to $3,000 to NECC to digitize photos in the Town Hall conference room • Up to $4,676.65 to Robin Marrow, Archivist, salary Page 1 3 Future agenda items • VA's 409 Grove Street files for accession to the Archive • Accession of Daniel Pratt clock • Email response system • Connected Reading: An Open House for our Community (October 22) Review minutes from the September meeting JEB made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, CK seconded, Vote 4 (VA, JEB, ADF, CK) - 0 - 1 (PD). PD made a motion to adjourn at 9:17PM, JEB seconded, Vote 5 - 0. Next Meeting: November 13, 6:30PM, Town Hall Conference Room Page 1 4