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Home My WebLink About2025-05-14 Historical Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2025-05-14 Building: Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business CEIVtU T \f N CLERK 2026 JUN 12 Ph 3: 18 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Berger Room Session: Open Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (VA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK). Members - Not Present: Pino D'Orazio (PD) Others Present: Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: SC was acting chair for the evening and called the meeting to order at 6:33PM. VA was made a voting member. 472 Summer Ave. demolition delay status update: ADF met RMHS student photographer Em Koster at the property to document the Inside of the house prior to demolition. SC made a motion to pay $100 to Em Koster for photography services; JEB second; vote 5 - 0. Demolition delay procedures: Using the recent example of 472 Summer Ave., we reviewed the demolition delay release letter sent on April 14 from PD to Bret Bennett, Building Commissioner. It was noted that the demolition delay release letter should not go to the Building Commissioner until the owner has completed certain conditions that must be completed prior to demolition of the building. In the 472 Summer Ave. letter, points 3, 4 and 5 should, but did not, have such a requirement. VA requested that JEB update the Demolition Delay Release letter template to include a deadline for preconditions to be met. In the future, letters will be sent to the Building Commissioner; Kim Saunders, Permit Coordinator; and Amanda Beatrice (AB), Administrative Specialist. Page I 1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes ADF presented an updated RHC Demolition Delay Bylaw Public Hearing Procedure document for the group to review. The document was originally written in 2018 by JEB. ADF updated the terms for an early release of the demolition delay under General Bylaw section 7.2.6.3 Release of Delay. The RHC will review the document in detail prior to the June 11 meeting. For further consideration is the concept of creating a Historic'District with a single home. Three properties from the Historical and Architectural Inventory have recently been put on the market (20 Hillcrest, 14 Bancroft, and 483 Franklin). In all cases, ADF contacted the listing agent and sent them the property's Form B. 52 Sanborn Street: JEB followed up with Matt Kraunelis, Town Manager, and learned that Briggs LLC/School House Condos had already met with the Select Board to discuss renovations to the portico entrance of the School House Condominiums. (Rik Lynch of Brigs LLC had met with RHC on March 19). Waterproofing of the main entry portico and structural repair of the building is underway. JEB requested of the Town Manager that, when Inventory properties governed by a deed restriction with the SB seek alterations, The RHC be notified and invited to the SB meeting to discuss these proposed alterations. The RHC needs to follow the Select Board and CPDC meeting agendas just in case. 186 Summer Ave. updates: The real estate agents listing the property met with the Historic District Commission (HDC) to determine if an in -ground pool, tennis court with lighting, and fencing could be added to the property. The HDC suggested that the pool and tennis court be placed behind the barn structure. Pleasant Street Center - discussion about future use: As the Town voted on May 13 to build the Reading Center for Active Living, the RHC is concerned about the future of this historic property. SB's research uncovered a Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA) dated 1999 between the Town of Reading and the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). The PRA conveys to MHC certain preservation restrictions and is implemented "in perpetuity." It expressly states that the burdens of its restrictions run with the land and are binding on future owners of an interest. JEB will inform the Town Manager of the existence of this PRA. Lafayette Tour reenactment: VA reported that the Lafayette reenactor will arrive at the Latham building at 9:OOAM on June 21n. He will travel in a horse drawn carriage with a police escort from McDonald's to the Latham building. VA wrote a public relations piece for the Chronicle and Town Manager Minute, and she noted that the Reading Antiquarian Society wrote a public relations piece for the Reading Post. Page 1 2 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Future event participation: • Garden Club Plant Sale/May 17 from 9:OOAM - S:OOPM, with set up at 8:30AM. The Garden Club provides tables, chairs, and tents for the event. The RHC display will be garden themed. • Friends and Family Day/June 14 from 10:30AM - 3:OOPM. PD will bring the tent. We need a display table. Display goals are to recruit a new Associate Member for RHC and to promote the demolition delay extension. • ADF designed a tabletop display featuring 11" x 17" easels with photos of saved and lost properties. • VA moved to reimburse ADF $105 for six display easels; CK second; vote 5-0. Pattern Book: A design guide: In early April, Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director, emailed the draft book to the RHC for comment. The Pattern Book is a tool to support residents/boards/applicants in new development applications. JEB represented the RHC at the February 24 kick-off meeting for this initiative. Action for RHC to review the Pattern Book for the June RHC meeting. RMHS Collaboration/Tom Allen historical letters: CK scanned the 1890s letter collection found in Mr. Allen's Woburn Street house, and the digital files were shared with Ms. Caroline Allison, RMHS history teacher. CK and Mr. Allen were to meet with Ms. Allison's class on May 16 to transcribe the letters, but the event has been postponed to fall. Town Master Plan Committee volunteer: JEB represented the CPDC and VA represented RHC on the last two versions of the Town Master Plan. The RHC has been asked to designate a volunteer for the newest version of the plan. SB represents the RHC on the CPA. She is willing to take on the Town Master Plan Committee if PD will take on the CPA. Discussion to be continued at the June meeting. Volunteer appointment term expiration discussion: The RHC agreed to recruit a new associate. ADF has provided the volunteer application to interested parties, however the position remains open. 25 Haven Street/Art Deco light fixture preservation: At the April meeting, there was discussion about how the RHC could apply ARPA funds to the repair of the light fixtures. Can a preservation restriction be put on the lights? JEB suggested that this was an issue for Town Counsel. Action: PD to follow up with Town Counsel. Catalog software updates: SC reported that all the Archive data has been uploaded to CatalogIt. She will invite the RHC to participate in a Zoom meeting to become more familiar with the CatalogIt software. Page 1 3 Town of Reading x Meeting Minutes °rs„acm Update on historical research into homes & Historic and Architectural Inventory: nothing to report. RHC response to email inquiries process discussion: The RHC will review phone call response responsibilities with PD. Town Archive review and updates: The scans of the Tom Allen historical letters are stored on the Archive computer. We discussed how to merge digital and physical files. Should digital photos be printed and stored in the Archive? How do we ensure that files on the RHC Google drive are archived? SC stated that the digital files need to be organized and cataloged like the the ohvslcal collection.SG Finance/Treasurer's report: JEB reported that the Available Budget for FY25 is $491.76 less $105 for tabletop easels. What ideas does RHC have to encumber funds? SC will get cost estimates for a digital librarian. JEB explained that the RHC Annual Budget for FY26 will again be $1,500 upon SB approval. Future agenda items: • Utility Boxes - should we have additional utility box wraps at public buildings like schools, the Burbank Ice Arena, etc.? • Merrimack College interns: transcription, digital, web page development, photos, and prints for Archive Review of minutes: There was an erroneous duplication of the April draft minutes on the RHC Google drive, so the April minutes will be reviewed at the June meeting. Next Meeting: June 11 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room Adjournment: SC moved to adjourn the meeting; CK second; vote 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:59PM. Documents Used: • Em Koster invoice dated 4-27-25 for Photography Services • Letter PD to Bret Bennett dated 4-14-25: Release of Demolition Delay with Conditions_472 Summer Ave. • RHC Demolition Delay Bylaw Public Hearing Procedure, edited 5-9-2025 • Pattern Book: A design guide, draft 4-2-25 Page 14