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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-05 Finance Committee MinutesREADING HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES June 5, 1990 The Reading Historical Commission met on Tuesday, June 5, being called to order at 7:41 p.m. Members present were Chairman Sharon Ofenstein, Treasurer Ted Smethurst, Virginia Adams, and Ed Palmer. Associate members present were Nancy Smethurst and Frank Orlando. Absent were Secretary.John McCauley and associate member Leslie Gonzales. There were no minutes of the May 1 meeting, the sec- retary being absent. The treasurer reported a FY '90 balance of $196.58. The $400 reimbursement from the 1989 Arts Lottery Council grant was received. A partial $500 bill from the Northeast Document Conservation Center for photograph conservation will soon be received; it will be paid with that $400 and $100 from the commission's general operating budget. The Historical Commission's FY '91 budget will be $1000. It was voted to place on file the treasurer's report as presented. Adaptive Use. The Historical Commission needs to visit the Community Center, to make sure the developer has adhered to the commission's design guidelines included in the deed of sale. The Division of Elder Services remains interested in the old Central Fire Station; Tom Stohlman is providing free architectural advice. A letter will be sent to the Reading Municipal Light Department, whose upcoming improvements to its physical plant will include the gutting of 226 Ash Street. Our letter will recommend against making any more exterior changes, and will offer our assistance. Archives. Ofenstein gave the commission's hygrothermograph back to the Smeth- ursts for reinstallation in the Archives Room in the basement of the Reading Public Library. McCauley's proposed accession policy is still not available for review. Ofenstein took five more Memorial Park photographs to the North- east Document Conservation Center for conservation, to be paid primarily from Arts Lottery Council grant awards. Palmer will make laser copies of the con- served photographs before they are framed. Correspondence. Received were Preservation Law Updates, the Historic Massachu- setts, Inc., newsletter; the June-August Bay State Historical League Calendar; notice of Salem State College's Sumer Institute of Local History; and notice of a book, Conservation of Cemeteries. (The latter was forwarded to the Board of Cemetery Trustees. Ofenstein answered a National Register plaque inquiry for 276 Woburn Street, and prepared a genealogical research sheet to send to per- sons contacting the Historical Commission for such information. It was decided to follow up on the commission's letter to the Meadow Brook Golf Club concerning the deterioration of 288 Grove Street. A date inquiry for 41 Federal Streets was received. The house at 18 Belmont Street is a moved house, and ought to be placed on the commission's inventory. Information Dissemination. The Historical Commission critiqued its May 24 Preservation Week presentation. A crowd of about 60 attended, which was good considering the numerous other activities or-curing that evening. The local topic was thought to be the reason. A finished text of the presentation will be pulled together; members should give their portions to Ofenstein. The Town Manager will be asked if Nancy Smethurst can use the scanner to input the text for computerized editing. The historical Commission's mailing list needs a few corrections, based on returned cards. The question of the identity (Haven Street or Main Street?) of the Light Department office shown during the presen- tation needs to be resolved. Adams sent information on 261 South Street to its owner, Addison Wesley. Meetings. Adams gave a detailed report on the Historic Massachusetts, Inc., meeting May 11. Points made there included the following: (a) that historic preservation could ally itself with environmental concerns so popular now; and (b) that the current economic downturn relieves developmental pressures, but causes government bodies to relax regulations governing development. The Bay State Historical League's annual meeting will be June 23. Historic Massachusetts, Inc., will hold its annual leadership workshop November 5. Membership. Ofenstein sent thank-you letters to former commission members Erline Trites and Kevin Burke. The Board of Selectmen will hold reappointment interviews for Historical Commission members June 12. Adams and Smethurst need to be reappointed, as well as all three associate members. A Miriam Smith has filed notice of interest in serving on the commission, but there is a question as to her eligibility. National Register/Inventory. The computer program for the commission's archi- tectural inventory is not yet ready. Streetscape. No word has been received from the Board of Selectmen about the commission's proposed guidelines for regulating changes to the Common. Ofen- stein will send copies of the guidelines to the Town Planner and CPDC. The com- mission will take up the topic of Scenic Roads at its next meeting. 350th Celebration. Dennis Beardsley is making prints of the glass-plate ne a- tives located by Palmer. The Marvogram company, operating below Ken and El s shoe store, makes logo-embroidered items. Other Business. The Town Manager is having plaques made to credit Burger King for the copies.of the old Reading photographs it gave to the Historical Commission for display in Town Hall. Ofenstein will ask the Town Planner for a key to the commission's office. Next Meeting. The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 10. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon K. Ofenstein Chairman