HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-03 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission Minutes
October 3, 2006
Attending:
Virginia Adams Kathy Greenfield - Chairman
Mark Cardono - Acting Secretary Karen Herrick
- Clay Jones Roberta Sullivan
Guests:
Peter Zanni - 420 Franklin Street
Mary Richards - Joshua Eaton Clock Tower Restoration Committee
Ellen Doucette Town Counsel
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, BASS.
2001 MAR IS A 4 59
Call to order 7:30 PM
Joshua Eaton School Clock Tower:
Mary Richards provided information about the restoration of the Joshua Eaton Clock Tower. May 29, 2007, is Joshua
Eaton's 200'" birthday. He was a Revolutionary War soldier, for whom the school is named for. The building is on the
inventory. They are raising money to do the restoration work and documentation. The restoration work will have to
be put out to bid. On November 11, 2006, Veterans' Day, they will have a "Walk for the Clock Tower". The walk will
start at Joshua Eaton School and finish at Parker School. Along the walk, historic sites will be pointed out. The
school did not receive a certificate for being on the inventory.
Virginia wrote up a certificate and presented it to Mary, along with a copy of the inventory form.
420 Franklin Street:
The Commission discussed Mass Historic's and Brad Latham's comments on the preservation deed restrictions. The
Commission then proceeded to discuss the elevation directions referred to in 4D in the restrictions. The rear of the
house is the north side, the front, which faces Pasture Road, is the south side, and the west side faces Franklin
Street. The Commission reviewed Mike Steinitz's comments regarding 4D of the restrictions, which is missing
statements regarding minimizing additions to the sides of a house per the Secretary of the Interior. It is believed that
both Brad Latham, attorney for the owners of 420 Franklin Street, and Ellen Doucette, Town Counsel, discussed the
missing information, with Mike Steinitz.
Kathy and Clay read the deed restrictions aloud to compare with the initial draft.
Later, Ellen Doucette entered the meeting and reviewed the deed restrictions.
Virginia moved that the Commission accept the preservation deed restrictions on 420 Franklin Street. Roberta
seconded the motion. Virginia added, for discussion, that she is concerned with demolition of the existing addition.
Vote: 4-0-0.
Josh Latham witnessed and notarized The Commission members signing the deed restrictions.
The deed restrictions were approved by the Board of Selectmen.
75 Pleasant Street:
Virginia will attend a Reading Housing Authority (RHA) meeting on October 16, 2006.
Virginia has been in contact with a woman who rehabilitates houses. The woman also owns a nearby empty lot and
may be interested in 75 Pleasant Street. There are 2 possibilities; move 75 Pleasant Street house to her lot, do a
land swap.
Minutes:
Review the minutes of September 20, 2006. Virginia moved that the Commission accept the minutes of September
20, 2006 as amended. Kathy seconded the motion. Vote: 3-0-1.
Review the minutes of March 23, 2006. Roberta moved that the Commission accept the minutes of March 23, 2006
as amended. Virginia seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0.
Review the minutes of June 6, 2006. Virginia moved that the Commission accept the minutes of June 6, 2006 as
amended. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0.
Review the minutes of June 13, 2006. Virginia moved that the Commission accept the minutes of June 13, 2006.
Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0.
Review the minutes of September 12, 2006. Roberta moved that the Commission accept the minutes of September
12, 2006 as amended. Kathy seconded the motion. Vote: 3-0-1.
Miscellaneous:
There will be a walking tour of the "Wadlin Houses" on October 15, 2006, at 2:00 PM, from the Parker Tavern. The
rain date is October 22, 2006.
Clay spoke about Dendrochronologists who are coming from England. He asked if there are any houses that The
Commission would like to have tested. Each house would cost approximately $1,000 to $2,000 to test. The following
houses were suggested; 420 Franklin Street, Parker Tavern, Foster-Emerson House, 572 Haverhill Street, 483
Franklin Street. The Commission could possibly split the cost with the owners. Clay asked to talk to Ann Grady about
hiring the Dendrochronologists and that The Commission has $6,000 to spend. Roberta moved that the Commission
will authorize Clay to explore the option of dating the oldest houses in Reading using Dendrochronologists, with the
anticipation of spending several thousand dollars. Virginia seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0.
99 Pearl Street will soon be for sale.
The Commission discussed the open meeting law with Town Counsel
Adjourned 10:57 PM
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