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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical Commission
Date: 2025-06-11 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Town Hall Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Virginia Adams (VA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukilacchio
(SB), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Pino D'Orazio (PD)
Members - Not Present: Samantha Couture (SC), Christine Keller
(CK)
Others Present: Aujanetta Smith, Reginald Nichols
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Pino D'Orazio
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 6:37PM. VA and SB were made voting members.
Joshua Eaton School - proposed name change:
The RHC discussed recent developments in efforts to change the name of Joshua
Eaton Elementary School. Two members of the public, Aujanetta Smith and
Reginald Nichols, were in attendance. JEB summarized the Reading School
Committee's decision against forming a sub -committee to explore the name
change. A lengthy discussion was held, and it was pointed out that the school's
namesake, Joshua Eaton, Jr, was technically not a slave owner - his father, Joshua
Eaton, Sr was. The RHC discussed several ways in which the Town could honor the
legacy of Cato Eaton, a slave owned by the Eaton family.
Pleasant Street Center - discussion about future use:
The RHC discussed the Pleasant Street Center's Preservation Restriction Agreement
(PRA) and the protections that it affords. JEB stated that he made the Town
Manager aware of the'PRA, and provided copies to both the Town Manager and SB
member Karen Herrick. PD agreed to write a letter to the Select Board expressing
RHC's desire to be involved in any discussions about the future use of the property.
Demolition Delay:
ADF summarized her discussion with the Town regarding the submission of a survey
to be sent to homeowners of properties on the Town's Historic Inventory. ADF will
send her suggested changes to the Town and help coordinate the release of the
survey.
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Lafayette Tour Reenactment:
VA, PD and CK will attend the Lafayette event on June 21n. PD will give brief
remarks.
483 Franklin Street:
483 Franklin Street is on the market. The property is protected by a PRA. The RHC
discussed the pending sale of the property and expressed the desire to preserve the
historic home.
Future Events:
A brief discussion was held regarding logistics for the upcoming Friends and Family
Day event.
Preservation Award Nominees:
VA wants to nominate the owners of 186 Summer Avenue for a preservation award
Other members enthusiastically agreed.
JEB made a motion to present a preservation award to the owners of 186 Summer
Avenue. PD seconded. The motion passed 5-0. VA and PD will reach out to the
owners to arrange the presentation of the award at a future meeting.
Pattern Book: A design guide:
Members agreed to send individual comments directly to Andrew MacNichol.
Library/Ken Burns Grant Opportunity:
A brief discussion was held about opportunities to qualify for a small grant for
events related to upcoming Revolutionary War 2W Anniversary celebrations. The
RHC agreed to support any groups that come forward seeking the grant.
Utility Box Wraps:
A discussion was held about the installation of additional utility box wraps around
town. Several members said that they will look around town for additional sites.
Demolition Delay Procedures:
ADF and JEB provided updates that they made to the demolition delay letter
template and meeting protocols for demolition delay agenda items. The RHC agreed
with the recommended updates. The updated letter template and protocols will be
uploaded to the RHC's Google Drive.
Nothing significant to report.
Several members applied for new terms. A discussion regarding officers will be held
in July.
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25 Haven Street:
SB summarized her recent discussions with the property owner regarding the
preservation of the art deco lights on the facade of the building. JEB is seeking a
legal opinion about the use of RHC or Preservation Trust funds to pay for the
preservation of the lights.
Catalog Software Updates:
Nothing significant to report.
RHC response to email inauiries process discussion:
Nothing significant to report.
Town Archive review and updates:
ADF proposed naming the Town Archive in honor of VA. Other members
enthusiastically agreed.
PD made a motion to name the Town Archive after VA. ADF seconded. The motion
passed 4-0-1, with VA abstaining.
Since the naming of the Town Archive falls under the purview of the Select Board,
the item was placed on the Select Board agenda for June 24`". Several RHC
members will attend.
VA donated a nail from the Pleasant Street Center to the Archive. PD made a
motion to accept the nail. ADF seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Finance/Treasurer's report:
JEB confirmed that he will submit payment requests for PD to reimburse him for the
Friends and Family Day registration and to ADF to reimburse her for $105.00.
Future agenda items:
• RMLD calendar
Review of minutes:
Meeting minutes from April and May were reviewed.
JEB made a motion to accept the minutes from April and May. PD seconded. The
motion passed 5-0.
Next Meeting: July 9 at 6:30PM.
Adiournment: PD made a motion to adjourn. JEB seconded. Meeting adjourned at
8:59PM.
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