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Home My WebLink About2025-08-13 Historical Commission MinutesF RECEIVEo Town of Reading TOWN CLERK `yl Meeting Minutes READING, MA, 0 2125 SEP I I PM 2: 38� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2025-08-13 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), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK), Pino D'Orazio(PD), and Jonathan Barnes (JEB) participated by phone per the Mullin Rule. Members - Not Present: Samantha Couture (SC) Others Present: James D'Amico, Railroad Realty Trust/owner of 32 Lincoln St. Denise and Ralph Cecere, 32 Lowell Street LLC/owners of 32 Lowell St. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: Before the meeting was called to order, Denise and Ralph Cecere explained to commission members SB, ADF and CK that they were awaiting payment on an insurance claim for fallen granite from the crenellated tower of 32 Lowell Street. No work is occurring at the site. The contractor is NER Construction Management (Wilmington, MA). PD called the meeting to order at 6:35PM and elevated VA to voting member. 32 Lincoln Street, Readina Train DeDot: Dr000sed roof reDlacement James D'Amico (JDA) brought three quotes, each for a different roofing material and dated August 2, 2025, from Everett Aluminum for the Reading Train Depot roof replacement: 1) Vermont slate, $160K; 2) 6" Ecostar Majestic Slate black composite slate, $84K; and 3) Tamko Titan Architectural (asphalt) black shingles $28K. In addition to roof shingles, Everett Aluminum Supplies quoted $18K to replace the plywood roof and add ice and water shield. Copies of the quotes were not provided to RHC. JDA stated that GAF Siteline asphalt shingles would be $80K with no documentation to support the cost. The figures presented were different from the verbal estimates provided by JDA and a representative from Everett Aluminum at the RHC July meeting. Page I 1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes JDA stated that his budget for the project is $501K. He asked if RHC has funds to help offset project costs and reminded us of the synagogue roof project in Chelsea that received CPA funds (refer to July 9, 2025, minutes). JEB reminded the group that the last time the owner of the Depot came before the RHC to discuss roof materials, then RHC Chair Ron Weston wrote a letter to The Select Board that slate was highly recommended, and composite slate would be reluctantly supported. Per JEB, Chelsea collects approximately $1 Million each year in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. JEB spoke with Fidel Maltez (Chelsea City Manager) and Chelsea's CPA Manager and learned that approximately $250K was allocated to the synagogue roof project. It was explained to JDA that Reading does not participate in CPA. The RHC has two possible sources of funds: Preservation Trust Fund and Celebration Trust Fund. If JDA agreed or was required to use composite slate, the group discussed the possibility of contributing up to $51K to help offset the difference between asphalt and composite slate to forward the historical preservation of the Depot. JDA has been invited to attend the RHC meeting on September 10. We have asked JDA to obtain images of the various roofing materials on historic buildings. PD stated that the Select Board are the overseers of this Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA), and the ultimate decision lies with them. Following the discussion at our September 10 meeting, PD will transmit to the Select Board RHC's recommendation for their consideration JDA left the meeting. 32 Lowell Street PRA: repairs in progress PD wrote a letter to Denise and Ralph Cecere, with a copy of the PRA, and MHC to inquire what work is being done. As noted previously, no repair work will occur until insurance funds are received. ADF emphasized the RHC's desire to help them navigate the preservation of the structure. 320 Haverhill Street, Sawtelle House: PRA In 2003, a PRA was drawn up between the Visiting Nurses Association and RHC, but it was never signed by MHC. The agreement, as it stands, has 30-year applicability. The agreement was recorded with the Commonwealth and is enforceable as a deed restriction. JEB spoke to Town Counsel Ivria Fried (IF) to discuss the RHC plan of action as the agreement will expire in 2033. IF suggested two courses of action. 1. Record a new restriction with signature of the town and owner for an additional 30 years. 2. Write a new deed restriction between MHC/RHC and owner. IF suggested that we review Select Board or RHC minutes from 2003 to determine what the town's intention was toward the property. 49 Pleasant Street. Pleasant Street Center: potential reuse - nothing to report Page 1 2 beat\ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 186 Summer Avenue: fire damaae On July 16, property owner Jerry Lamb submitted letters to RHC and Historic District Commission (HDC) outlining the damage from the July 9 fire which destroyed the carriage house and severely damaged the house. A structural engineer has been employed to review the building. Arson is suspected. 25 Haven Street: Art Deco light fixture preservation JEB spoke with IF regarding spending $3.5K of the Preservation Trust Fund to help restore the Art Deco lights from the former RMLD building. JEB will work on proposed language edits for the RHC page on the Town website based on his conversation with IF. MassDOT: Project Number #613564 Jameson Harwood, Cultural Resources Supervisor, wrote a letter to PD regarding a Safe Routes to School program associated with Reading Memorial High School and Coolidge Middle School. ADF forwarded the letter to Andrew MacNichol (AMN), Community Development Director, to ask how the project falls under RHC purview. AMN explained that the grant program funds sidewalks and general improvements. PD will reply to MassDOT to indicate that the project was reviewed and that RHC has no objection nor sees adverse impact of the project. RHC Demolition Delay Discussion: survey of historic homeowners ADF provided an updated cover letter for the survey, as well as suggested changes to the survey questions. Following discussion, PD made suggested changes to the cover letter, and the group agreed with ADF's suggested edits to the survey questions. ADF will work with Amanda Beatrice (AB), Administrative Specialist and AMN to issue the survey. Inventory: structures for sale/sold/demolished: spreadsheet updates: GIS map • 190 Main Street is still on the market. 483 Franklin Street has a "sold" sign in front of it, but the sale has not been recorded yet. • A concerned citizen sent an email to the Select Board expressing concerns about the demolition of 472 Summer Avenue. The version of the Historical and Architectural Inventory spreadsheet posted on the Town Website is dated February 2025, and it does not list structure inventory number nor if there is a PRA in place. SB will work with AB to have the additional information added to the spreadsheet. Update from the HDC: single structure historic districts ADF provided two GIS maps of Reading made by Matt Deane, GIS Administrator. The first lists all properties from the Historical and Architectural Inventory, with a legend to indicate which properties are on the National Register or in a Historic District. The second map indicated properties in Reading that were built before 1825. Nearly 200 structures in Reading were built before 1825 that are not within a Historic District. The City of Somerville has created individual structure districts to protect historic buildings. There was discussion about the lack of resources in Reading to do Page 1 3 OF Town of Reading $ r Meeting Minutes 4'nM4r something similar. Another route the RHC can take is to work with homeowners to develop PRAs for their properties. ADF also informed the group that MACRIS has a wealth of map data by town available on their website httos://maps.mhc-macris.net/. 2026 RMLD Historical calendar ADF met with Jayne D'Onofrio to select Archive photos for the RMLD 2026 Historical Calendar. Together they selected four images for the calendar, including one of the Foster -Emerson House on a truck during its relocation. Volunteer reappointments/officer discussion - discussion postponed Town Archive: accessions: renaming: CatalogIt software • ADF made a motion to accession a Pratt mantle clock from Cheryl Donovan. PD second. Roll call vote 5-0. • The Virginia Adams wall and door plaque for the Archive have been received but not installed. • CatalogIt software - nothing to report. Finance: Treasurer's Report: budget reauest to Select Board • The FY2025 Year -End budget reports have been received. The July reports have not been received. JEB confirmed that ADF and PD were reimbursed. The funds for the Preservation Trust Fund from Trinity Home Builders LLC (472 Summer Ave.) have reportedly been received by the Town, and JEB will ensure the funds are directed to RHC. • JEB requested $6,500 from the Select Board for FY2026, and the extra $5,000 for additional archive work was not approved. Future Events • Fall Street Faire (Sun, Sept 7, 12 - 5PM): VA to circulate sign-up sheet; same display as Friends and Family Day • Connected Reading (Tues, Oct 28, 5 - 7PM) Future Agenda Items - none Review Minutes from 9 July 2025 meeting - discussion postponed Next meeting September 10 at 6:30PM in Town Hall Conference Room. At 9:20PM, CK made a motion to adjourn. PD second. Roll call vote 5 - 0. Page 1 4 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Documents used • PRA for 32 Lowell Street • Preservation Trust Fund Guidelines • PRA for 320 Haverhill Street • PRA for 186 Summer Ave. • MassDOT Project 613564 Letter dated 8/7/2025 • RHC Demolition Delay Survey and cover letter draft • GIS maps of Town of Reading Historic Inventory Properties Page 1 5