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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-14 Historical Commission Minutes_IV=U Town of Reading z Meeting Minutes Lc 116 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2026-1-14 Time: 6:30 PM Building: Town Hall Location: 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), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazio (PD), and Christine Keller (CK) Members - Not Present: Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF) Others Present: Jayne Wellman, Assistant Town Manager Katie Gabriello, Director of Operations John Burns, Chatham & Grey, LLC, phoned in Minutes Resoectfullv Submitted Bv: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: PD called the RHC meeting to order at 6:3413M. VA was elevated to voting member 52 Salem Street - demolition application The sale of 52 Salem Street to Chatham & Grey, LLC closed on December 10. John Burn's (JB) business partner Guiseppe (Joe) Ravida filed a Demolition application on December 22. JEB initiated discussion about the completeness of the demolition application for the 1792 structure. The stated reason for demolition reads, "Existing historic structure cannot reasonably be adapted to meet modern residential, safety, or building -code requirements. The layout, ceiling heights, stair configuration, and overall interior dimensions prevent the creation of functional living spaces or compliant egress without extensive reconstruction of major structural elements. Additionally, the building cannot accommodate modern mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems without removing large portions of the original framing and finishes, which would eliminate the very materials intended for preservation. For these reasons, the structure cannot fulfill contemporary residential needs, and replacement with a new, code -compliant building is the only practical option." The proposed reuse of the property reads, "The project involves constructing two attached townhomes, each featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a single -car Page I 1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes garage. The homes will share a common wall but function as separate residences with individual entrances and modern layouts. At the rear of the property, a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) will be built, containing 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and operating as a fully self-contained living space. The development provides three total dwelling units designed to meet current residential, zoning, and building -code standards." JB met with Glen Redmond (GR), Building Inspector, on site at 52 Salem Street to review plans for the proposed reuse of the property. GR stated that the ADU would not be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on this 23,518 square foot lot. JEB clarified his previous conversation with JB about building a.900 square foot ADU behind the structure. The demolition application indicates a structure larger than 900 square feet and would require a variance from the ZBA. In that conversation, JEB suggested a "hardship" argument before the ZBA for preserving and renovating the historic structure to meet JB's needs and building an ADU larger than 900 sq. R. JB could argue that incurring the expense to preserve the historical structure could warrant the ZBA approving a variance for an ADU larger than 900 square feet. Following JB's agreement to make the revisions to the application as discussed, PD stated that the application was deemed complete. The date for a public hearing was set for February 11, 2026, at 7:OO13M. Amanda Beatrice, Administrative Specialist, will walk JB through the process of contacting abutters and will manage the legal notices for the public hearing. JB stated that the previous homeowners are renting the house until they find new housing. SB asked if the public might be able to tour the property prior to demolition. The RHC also expressed interest in trying to save the Rufus Porter mural in the stairwell. JB stated that he would return the Amos Parker diary to the RHC. JB asked what to expect at the public hearing. PD explained the process of the hearing, beginning with a review of the significance of the house in Reading. JB hung up at 6:58PM. CK will notify previous owner Linda Stroebel of the public hearing on February 11. Demolition delay bylaw survey results/Nantucket demo delay article - discussion postponed Pleasant Street Center - future uses Jayne Wellman (JW), Assistant Town Manager, and Katie Gabriello (KG), Director of Operations, are on a "road show" to town commissions to discuss possible future uses of the Pleasant Street Center (PSC). The new Reading Center for Active Living (RECAL) will open late summer 2027. The Pleasant Street Center, located at 49 Pleasant Street, was built in 1883 and is on the National Register of Historical Places. The former fire station has a Preservation Restriction Agreement signed by Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and the town. Page 1 2 ,1N,' Meeting Minutes AZ I7LA JW and KG discussed ideas for future use of the facility, which included art space, cafe, performing arts, and shared examples of other repurposed facilities in Newburyport, Framingham, etc. The building can be leased, but the land and adjacent parking lot cannot be leased without the approval of Town Meeting. The commercial value of the property is approximately $1 million. Procurement consideration would be prioritized for nonprofits serving disadvantaged populations, food service or a group already established in Reading. VA noted that she was on the committee for the creation of PSC. The original PRA restricted changes to the interior and exterior of the building, so that the building's original use as a fire station would be preserved. Historic elements of the building include original wainscotting; reproduction fire door window panels; and jail cells in the basement. JEB asked if a second PRA could be drafted to include the RHC? JW explained that the town will conduct a public survey for future use of the building. Ideally, a non-profit will use the PSC and generate adequate income to help maintain it. JW and KG left the meeting at 7:35PM. 129 High Street - on the market/realtor questions SB toured the Queen Anne house and carriage house. The second homeowner (Brackett) built the carriage house structure. 186 Summer Ave. updates - nothing to report 94 Oak Street - garage replacement SB reported that the garage had been demolished. The house was built in 1936 and had innovations like steel beam infrastructure and air-conditioning. SB will update Form B with this additional information. Collaborations with RMHS and Merrimack College • ADF and SC met with Rose, our intern from Merrimack College, at the Archive for a preliminary overview of the collection. SC will meet Rose on January 15 to show her how to add a record to CatalogIt. SC has several projects in mind, including archiving Alice Hunter's photos. • ADF and RHC received thank you notes from Ms. Allison's class. The class will present their research for a Women's History walking tour of Reading on January 20. Utility Box Wraps - discussion postponed Page 1 3 hk Town of Reading AMPMeeting Minutes 32 Lincoln Street. Reading Train Depot: proposed roof repairs The roof repairs appear nearly complete, and the EcoStar composite slate looks good. At the September 2025 meeting, a motion was passed to reimburse Railroad Realty Trust $5,000 from the RHC Preservation Trust upon receipt of a letter of completion or invoice for materials. PD will follow up with James D'Amico, President of Railroad Realty Trust. 32 Lowell Street PRA: repairs in progress - nothing to report Future Events: Historic gravestone cleaning training - discussion postponed 25 Haven Street: Art Deco liaht fixture preservation At the December 2025 meeting, a motion was passed to pay $3,508 from the Preservation Trust Fund to rehabilitate and preserve exterior lighting fixture and exterior ribbed sheet metal banding per mutual agreement with Reading Mosque. JEB discussed this motion with Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director, and was informed that jobs costing $5,000 to $10,000 require three quotes. JEB will work with SB to update the existing quotation and obtain two more, Catherine Moulton History of Old South Church Sandy Weston delivered materials to Town Hall. Further discussion was postponed. Virginia Adams oral history interview CK shared a suggestion that RCN record the VA oral history interview. SB will contact Angela Merrill at RCN to coordinate. Ginny Blodgett and Sharlene Reynolds Santos will conduct the interview(s) with VA. Framing and hanging of historical photos in Town Hall The historical photos are ready to pick up from Atlantic Framing. SC and CK will pick them up on January 21 and deliver them to Town Hall. SC will get the final invoice. Community Preservation Act (CPA) - liaison report SB reported that the CPA study group will recommend 1% CPA to the Select Board on February 10, with hopes of the CPA being on the April 2026 Town Meeting Warrant. Inventorv: structures for sale/sold/demolished: spreadsheet updates: GIS maD - nothing to report. CatalogIt software updates The software license will be renewed in July 2026, and SC has asked for the invoice in advance. SC will finish cataloging items on the shelves with our Intern. Page 14 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Town Archive review • Mrs. Linda Stroeble (LS), previous owner of 52 Salem Street, offered two items for the Archive: a framed receipt dated April 23, 1792, for underpinning stones made out to Jonas Parker and a reproduction of a painting of Miss Betsy Parker. SC made a motion to accession the items. CK second. Vote 5 - 0. SC will send LS a Deed of Gift form along with a thank you letter. • Daphne Slocombe contacted the RHC to offer photos and documents from Howard Gilson to the archive. Mr. Gilson lived at the corner of Grove and Forest Streets. One of his photos is on the cover of Reading's Colonial Rooftrees. SC will speak with Ms. Slocombe on January 16 to learn more about the items offered. • SC drafted an Archive Policy Manual, which includes the creation of an Archive Committee. SC proposed that she and ADF be the Archive Committee. Discussion to continue. Finance/Treasurer's Report - nothing to report Future Agenda Items • Yiyi Chen, DroneWorks LLC, drone imaging/mapping service company • Update RHC brochure; prior version dated September 2022 Review minutes from the December meeting PD moved to approve the December minutes as amended. JEB second. Vote 5 - 0. At 8:28PM, PD made a motion to adjourn. JEB second. Vote 5 - 0. Next meeting: February 11, 2026, at 6:30PM. Town Hall Conference Room. Documents used • Town of Reading Record No. RHC 25-2 Demolition Delay application 52 Salem Street • The Future of the Pleasant Street Center PowerPoint presentation • Form B 129 High Street Page 1 5