HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-09 Historical Commission MinutesTown of Reading
c Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2025-04-09
Building: Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
RECEIVED
?OWN CLERK
LP
A.
2025 ,II119 i 2 PM'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), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin
Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK).
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Janice Feagley (IF)
Thomas Walsh (TW), President, Trinity Home Builders LLC
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM.
472 Summer Ave:
Preface: On April 5, TW sent a letter to the RHC thanking the commission for
collaborating with him and declared his intention to sit out the six-month demolition
delay. (The letter has been posted to the RHC Google drive.)
However, TW came to the meeting and presented an updated drawing of the house
to be built labelled The Manchester by Shane Structures. Three dormers were
added to replicate the existing historic home. The farmers' porch also has four
columns which will be made of PVC, per building code. The new house will have the
same setback from Summer Ave. as the existing structure. The new structure will
be a four -bedroom, two-story home with attic (accessed by pull -down), with a
garage underneath. The historic house is one and one-half stories with a separate
garage building.
The windows were removed from the inside for asbestos remediation of the glazing.
The exterior storm windows remain. TW paid $55K for asbestos identification and
remediation.
ADF discussed the use of bead board vs. shingles on the front of the house vs.
shingles and clapboard.
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VA explained that the mission of RHC was to "Avoid, Minimize, and Mitigate"
demolition. Mitigation for early release from the demolition delay bylaw can include
photographing of the historic structure, preserving historic features, and donation
to the RHC in support of the Commission's historic preservation work. TW agreed to
donate $1,000 to the RHC. ADF suggested that AP Photography students from
RMHS could photograph the property for $25 per hour, under the tutelage of an
RHC commissioner, during April vacation week. TW agreed to pay.
Neighbor IF asked if TW would consider planting trees to replace those that were
cut down near the house. He mentioned planting dogwoods to the left of the house
and invited IF to come by to discuss. IF expressed that the new house will change
the character of the neighborhood significantly. She explained that it was a mature
neighborhood with mature trees. TW also mentioned planting Japanese Maples.
Sophie Walsh is the landscape and interior designer. Plantings will be sourced from
New England Nursery.
PD summarized that the RHC and TW agreed to the following terms and features of
the new structure:
1. "Substantially similar" to rendition presented on 4/9/25 (Shane Structures
The Manchester)
2. Same setback as existing house
3. Retain existing stonework and walls
4. Allow RHC to photograph the interior and exterior of the house
5. TW to preserve any significant historical artifacts found on the property
6. Shingles and clapboard
7. Front door: six panel front door with sidelights
B. $1,000 donation to RHC
9. Grey color
10. Farmer's porch with columns
11. Consideration of tree species like those that were felled.
PD read a motion and moved (pursuant to General Bylaw Section 7.2.6.3 Release
of Delay) to release the demolition delay imposed on property in accordance with
the terms discussed and agreed to. Upon signatures of both parties, PD will send an
early release letter to the building inspector for 472 Summer Ave.
52 Sanborn Street: JEB to follow up with Matt Kraunelis, Town Manager, so we
know when they will come before the Select Board to discuss the "Main Entry
Portico Waterproofing and Structural Repair Old Reading Re: Schoolhouse."
Demolition delay bylaw discussion & community outreach efforts: PD to discuss
developing a survey of the owners of properties on the Historical and Architectural
Inventory with Amanda Beatrice (AB), Administrative Specialist, and Andrew
MacNichol, Community Development Director.
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Meeting Minutes
Inventory discussion: whether to add partial demolition details to the Town's
Historical and Architectural Inventory: SB will work with AB to add column to the
inventory with notes about partial demolition details moving forward, beginning
with 71 Franklin Street.
North Reading Historical Commission meeting recap: ADF and VA attended a
meeting at the Damon Tavern in North Reading on March 27. North Reading is in
the process of drafting a demolition delay bylaw, and ADF and VA emphasized that
six months is not adequate. North Reading has approximately 100 properties on
their inventory and one historic district containing ten houses. ADF and VA toured
the Damon Tavern, and an original Rufus Porter mural is hanging in the ballroom.
The Damon Tavern is located near the library. The Archive is located in the Margaret
Parker Room in the Tavern. An example of its holdings is located on the North Reading
Historical and Antiquarian Society's website, https://www.nreadinghistory.org/.
Lafayette Tour reenactment: VA prepared a public relations piece for the event on
June 21. She will send it to The Chronicle, The Reading Post, and to the Town
Manager Minute for publication. PD suggested a poster for the window at Whitelam
Books.
Future event participation (Friends and Family Day. Garden Club Plant Salel: SB
will submit the application for the Garden Club Plant Sale on May 17, from 9 - 1.
PD registered the RHC for Friends and Family Day on June 14.
RMHS history award: Three students have been selected to submit writing samples
The award will be presented on May 21, and the award check request must be
submitted to the Town by May 6. PD made a motion to deputize ADF and CK to
review the writing samples and determine the recipient of the RHC award; JEB 2nd;
vote 5-0.
Hattie Brook's autograph book: Beth Russell of Marblehead mailed the RHC an
autograph book that belonged to Hattie Brook in 1877. Hattie went to school in
Reading. PD made a motion to accession the book for the archive; CK second; vote
5-0 to accession the book.
71 Franklin Street: As noted above, the demolition of the ell will be noted on the
Historical and Architectural Inventory as a partial demolition.
Volunteer appointment term expiration discussion: PD and JEB have terms that
expire in 2025. SC asked about taking a sabbatical or moving to an Associate
Member role, and SB could become a voting member. PD to email Laura Gemme,
Town Clerk, to ask specifics.
Potential archive donation from Virginia Adams: VA brought a photo of the Reading
High School Class of 1932 to the meeting. Her mother was a member of the class of
1932. SC made a motion to accession the photo; ADF second; vote 5 - 0.
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Meeting Minutes
NEDCC reprints of historic photos: SC will take the photos from the Town Hall
Conference Room and the Archive to NEDCC during the week of April 21.
25 Haven Street/Art Deco light fixture preservation: A quote for $3,500 to repair
the Art Deco lights and modify them to LED and replace a missing light was deemed
too expensive by mosque representatives. The mosque was willing to pay for a
historic plaque from Franklin Bronze (price at least $400). 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? This is a question for Town Counsel,
which PD can look into.
CatalogIt software updates: nothing to report.
Addition of assessor info to inventory list: SB met with AB, who will add the
assessor's plot #'s to the official version of the Inventory.
RHC discussion protocols: It was agreed that we would express our opinions in
open meetings with others present as, "This is my opinion," so that the rest of the
commission understood each other's position.
Update on historical research into homes & Historic and Architectural Inventory:
SB presented the commission with the draft Form B for 64 Berkeley Street. ADF
requested that the cause of death of homeowners be removed from the narrative.
SC agreed with ADF. A public hearing to add the property to the inventory will be
held at the June meeting.
RHC response to email inquiries process discussion: nothing to report.
Town Archive review and updates: covered above.
Donation of picnic tables by Women's League of Reading: The Women's League of
Reading contacted the Town Manager's office to donate picnic tables for the
common. The RHC's position is that the Common should remain as a greensward,
and picnic tables would diminish the openness of the Common. PD will
communicate this position to the Town Manager through AB.
Finance/Treasurer's report: JEB reiterated that the check request for the RMHS
Award must be submitted by May 6. He also asked SC for suggestions for Archival
supplies or services to use the remaining ARPA funds.
Future agenda items:
• Exhibit: Reading Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, May 17
• Exhibit: Friends and Family Day, June 14
• Lafayette's Tour reenactment, June 21
• 186 Summer Ave.
• Design & Pattern Book
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Meeting Minutes
Review of minutes: CK thanked ADF for writing the March 19 meeting minutes. JEB
moved to approve the minutes as amended; SC second; vote 5-0.
Next Meeting: May 14 at 6:30 PM in the Berger Room
Adjournment: PD moved to adjourn the meeting; JEB second; vote 5-0. The
meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM.
Documents Used:
• Re: 472 Summer, "The Manchester elevations, 1 of 8," Shane Structures
• General Bylaw, Town of Reading, MA
• Draft Form B 64 Berkeley Street
• Guidelines for Evaluating Changes to Common
• Estimate from Barry Electrical Systems
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