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Home My WebLink About2025-07-09 Historical Commission MinutesTown of Reading R E C: E (yE p 0 Meeting Minutes OvWN CLERK 'N, MA. � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historica�69i6WDN 2: 38 "- Date: 2025-07-09 Time: 6:30 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Berger 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 Christine Keller (CK). Members - Not Present: Samantha Couture (SC) Others Present: James D'Amico (JDA), Railroad Realty Trust/owner of 32 Lincoln St. Enrique Reynoso (ER), Everett Aluminum Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: Vice Chair ADF called the meeting to order at 6:32PM and elevated VA and SB to voting members prior to the arrival of JEB at 6:40PM and PD at 6:4513M. Reading Train Depot (32 Lincoln Street) - Dr000sed roof repairs Peter Conti of Everett Aluminum applied for building permit B-25-439 to replace the original slate roof of the depot building which dates to 1830. A Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA) protects the building. JDA reported that the depot roof has two small leaks that have been addressed with temporary repairs. It is not possible to walk on the roof without breaking slate roof tiles. JDA would like to make the building watertight. He noted that ice slides off the roof in the winter, which has resulted in complaints from building tenants. He stated that there would be no change to the roofline or overhang and knee braces. JDA would like to replace the original slate with CertainTeed Landmark Pro Max Def Red Oak asphalt shingles, which have a 40-year warranty. ER showed the RHC samples of the asphalt shingles. JDA did not have firm quotes for a slate roof and estimated it would cost $300 - $400K. Everett Aluminum estimated $65K for an asphalt roof, and ER estimated that a composite slate roof would cost $95K - $115K. ER showed a sample of ECO STAR Random Width Blend asphalt composite slate shingles that are one-third the weight of slate and have a 50-year warranty. Page I 1 Town of Reading • Meeting Minutes VA stated that artificial/composite slate has not been proven in Reading, as the product did not last as long as expected when installed at the Pleasant Street Center. JEB explained that supporting the change from slate to asphalt would be difficult for the RHC. When Ron Weston was RHC Chair, he submitted a letter to the Select Board indicating a strong preference for slate or composite slate and copper on the roof ridge and hips of the depot. JEB stated he could only consider composite slate as an alternative roof shingle. JDA stated that the building is structurally sound. Once the roof is replaced, he would like to repaint the depot with the same color. JDA takes pride in maintaining the depot and mentioned that he had replaced mahogany doors years ago. VA asked about the fire retardancy of asphalt and composite materials. ER did not have that information on hand. SB asked if the Celebration Trust Fund or RHC Preservation Trust could be used. The RHC reviewed the Trust Fund Guidelines. JDA heard that CPA funds were used in Chelsea, MA to replace the slate roof of a synagogue with $246K from the Department of Housing and Community Development. JEB noted that the Massachusetts Supreme Court had not allowed CPA funds to be used for stained glass windows at a church but considered CPA funds for other work on church property as possibly permissible. SB told JDA that we would need quotes and not estimates for the roof materials. JEB will contact Fidel Maltez to learn more about the CPA funds in Chelsea. VA moved to continue RHC's recommendation regarding JDA's PRA-protected property until the next RHC Meeting on August 13. ADF second. Vote 5 - 0. JDA and ER left the meeting. 32 Lowell Street - question about PRA SB discovered that a PRA was drawn up on June 16, 1999, between the Christ Science Church and the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). Following a fagade collapse, the building needs masonry attention and is currently surrounded by construction fencing. PD will write letters to the current owner of the building, with a copy of the PRA, and to the MHC to inquire what work is being done. Has a building permit been pulled for the masonry work? Sawtelle House (320 Haverhill Street) PRA In 2003, a PRA was drawn up between the Visiting Nurses Association and RHC, but it was never signed by MHC or by the RHC. The MHC advised SB that the agreement is good for 30 years. Is it legally binding? The RHC recently worked with Sawtelle House on the replacement of a rear door. JEB to follow up with Town Counsel to see if we should rewrite the PRA with MHC. Page 1 2 ofk4'�O �•;, Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 82 Forest Street Form B The homeowner of the property is interested in adding it to the Historical and Architectural Inventory, and she is working on the Form B. Pleasant Street Center - discussion about potential use PD to write a letter to the Select Board to reiterate the property at 49 Pleasant Street is covered by a PRA. 186 Summer Ave. updates - public hearing on July 16 for HOC application A fire on the early morning of July 9 destroyed the carriage house and caused damage to the Italianate structure. The state fire inspector is investigating. The presentation of a Preservation Award will be postponed. According to page 10 paragraph 20 of the PRA, following a fire, the grantor must notify the HDC of the fire. This occurred when Jerry Lamb contacted PD. No repairs to the structure can occur without HOC approval. There is also a requirement of a report from a restoration architect within 120 days of the fire. RHC Demolition Delay Discussion - potential survey of historic homeowners Nothing to report. Lafayette Tour reenactment recap There was a write-up in the Chronicle on July 9 regarding the June 21 event. PD welcomed General Lafayette to Reading. VA and CK were in the audience. Historical homes for sale • 71 Franklin Street. Rick Nazarro, Colonial Realty, provided a tour of the property to VA and SB on July 9. • 190 Main Street. The house dates to 1830 and is being sold as is. The realtor told ADF that she cannot give the RHC access to the property. • 483 Franklin Street. The sale of the property is pending. Preservation Award nominees - Nothing to report. Utility box wraps - should we have additional utility box wraps at public buildings? Nothing to report. Town Master Plan volunteer - Nothing to report. Future Events • Fall Street Faire. Sunday, September 7, 12 - 5PM. Booth cost is $110. CK made a motion of up to $135 for registration at the Fall Street Faire. JEB second. Vote 5 - 0. ADF registered for the event. • Connected Reading (RPL). Tuesday, October 28, 5 - 7PM. ADF registered for the event. Page 1 3 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Volunteer reappointments/officer discussion PD and JEB were reappointed to RHC with terms expiring in 2028. The Officers discussion was postponed to the August meeting. 25 Haven Street/Art Deco light fixture preservation - update on progress/review plague language JEB spoke with Town Counsel Ivria Fried (IF) regarding the process of entities to apply for assistance. IF suggested that a process would have to be constructed to ensure that other entities could apply for assistance. To be continued. CatalogIt software updates SC is providing one on one training sessions on the CatalogIt software. We received a $540 invoice to renew the software license. JEB made a motion to pay $540 for the annual renewal of CatalogIt. ADF second. Vote 5-0. Town Archive review and updates/naming discussion At a Select Board meeting on June 24, PD presented the request to name the Town Archive after longtime member VA. The Select Board voted unanimously 5 - 0 in favor of the request. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis (MK) contacted PD for suggested wording for the plaque. PD read a thank you note from VA that expressed her appreciation of the honor. The group then worked on the verbiage for the plaque. Finance and Treasurer's Report VA presented JEB with $10 for the sale of a copy of Colonial Rooftrees. As noted above, the CatalogIt invoice ($540) and Street Faire (up to $135) were discussed. JEB reported that the FY26 budget had not been finalized, although it has been $1,500 in recent years. JEB spoke with SC to determine the cost of additional archive work by Robin Merrow ($22 to $25/hour). JEB will communicate the RHC budget request to Town Manager MK. Future Agenda Items • ADF brought a copy of The Readings, Summer 2025, to the meeting. The issue featured an article by Terry Date entitled "Firing Up the Past" (pages 46 - 49), which detailed the work done on Will Finch and Kim Honetschlager beehive ovens in their historic home at 51 Mill Street. JEB made a motion to accession the article for the archive, ADF second, Vote 5-0. • RMLD calendar. ADF is looking for photo ideas for the 2026 calendar. Review Minutes from June 11 and 24 Meetings. • JEB made a motion to approve the June 11 minutes as amended, ADF second, Vote 5 - 0 . • CMK made a motion to approve the June 24 minutes as submitted, JEB second, Vote 5 - 0. Page 14 F Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Next meeting: August 13 at 6:30PM Berger Room. ADF will prepare the agenda. At 8:57PM, ADF made a motion to adjourn. JEB second. Vote 5 - 0. Documents used • Building permit B-25-439 • PRA for 32 Lincoln Street • PRA for 32 Lowell Street • Preservation Trust Fund Guidelines • PRA for 320 Haverhill Street • PRA for 186 Summer Ave. Page 1 5