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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-07 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission Minutes February 7, 2006 Attending: Mark Cardono - Secretary Guests: Kathy Greenfield Bob Brown Karen Herrick Will Finch Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie Fran Fink Susan Patterson Chris Doyon Sharlene Reynolds Santo Neenie.Durham Roberta Sullivan -Acting Chairman Ann Hooper Clay Jones 420 Franklin Street: Diane Jones , - Shirley Day - Owner Philip J. Parisi Brad Latham - Lawyer Rosemary Sammarco c Peggy White ` Harry Nelson Pillsbury Grave Marker: Linda Zarrow Robert Markarian Mallory Zarrow George Mirijanian Call to order 7:35 PM Treasurer: Wilbar moved that The Commission will authorize $100.00 to purchase archival supplies. Sharlene seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0. Miscellaneous: There was a water leak in the archives. Numerous new, empty archival boxes and 3 At Wood End books were damaged. The Senior Work Tax Program worker used up all of the allocated hours. The books still need to be transcribed. The Commission is working on determining if the worker can continue under the contract. 717 Pearl Street: The barn has been dismantled and transported to New Hampshire. There was one unusual joint that was found; a double dovetail. Harry Nelson Pillsbury: George Mirijanian gave a brief presentation about Harry Nelson Pillsbury, a world famous chess player, who is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery. The Massachusetts Chess Association is raising money to have a marker placed on his grave. He was the son of a Reading High School Principal and is related to the Leith family. Roberta explained that only a blood relative can approve the addition of a marker to a grave. The Commission provided some ideas on how they might find a blood relative. Past Minutes Review: Review of the minutes from December 6, 2005. Sharlene moved that the Commission accept the minutes from December 6, 2005, as amended. Wilbar seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0. Review of the minutes from December 27, 2005. Sharlene moved that the Commission accept the minutes from December 27, 2005, as given. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0. Public Hearinq on Demolition of 420 Franklin Street: Call to order 8:00pm Sharlene read the notice. The Commission Members introduced themselves. Brad Latham spoke on behalf of his client Shirley Day. They want to work with The Commission and The Conservation Commission to find a solution. Roberta stated that the requested documentation, for the hearing, has not been received. A copy of the bylaw was sent to Shirley Day along with a letter of what she needed to bring to the meeting. Because the documentation was not submitted, Roberta would like to have a motion to continue the hearing until The Commission receives the information as required in the Bylaw. RHC Minutes Rhc20060207.doc Page l of 2 Will Finch, of The Conservation Commission, commented that The Conservation Commission did not see the initial plan, they saw drawings that only delineated the wetlands. No developer has come back with proposals. He added that The Conservation Commission is willing to look at doing variances and that they believe there are options without having to raze the house. Brad Latham is amenable with the continuance and will try to get the information to The Commission. The owner is willing to only divide the property into 2 lots, 1 for the house and 1 for a new house lot. Roberta asked for comments. Chris Doyon, a neighbor, said that it would be a shame if anything were to happen to the house. Clay asked if The Conservation Commission will have enough time to review a plan at their next meeting. Fran Fink from The Conservation Commission said if the owners can get a plan in by tomorrow, The Conservation Commission could get it on the agenda of February 22, 2006, or if they can get it in by February 23, 2006, they can get on the agenda for March 8, 2006. Ann Hooper, a neighbor, said she would hate to see the house go. Rosemary Sammarco, who lives across the street, believes The Conservation Commission is what is holding it [development] back. Fran Fink stated that no plan has been brought before them. Bob Brown suggested turning the house into a 2 family by adding on to the structure. Phil Parisi asked what is the restriction on the lot for the wetlands, and if landscaping be done? Fran Fink said that it may be possible because the property has been mowed for many years. She then showed a map of the property and the wetlands. Sharlene moved that hearing be continued until the next monthly meeting, scheduled for March 14, 2006, in order to give the applicant additional time to submit documents required as stated in the Demolition Delay Bylaw section 5.13.3.4. Wilbar seconded the motion. Discussion: it will be at 8:00 PM in the conference room. Vote: 4-0-0. Public Hearing Adjourned 8:38 PM until March 14, 2006. Demolition Delay Bylaw: The Commission reviewed questions and possible amendments to the Demolition Delay Bylaw. Town Counsel is scheduled to meet with The Commission on February 10, 2006 at 9:00 AM, in the Berger Room. The meeting will only include Town Counsel and The Commission. The issues to be discussed will include; clarifying the definition of the owner and adding time limits to the bylaw; 12 months for the delay, application expiration, and demolition permit expiration. The changes to the bylaw will need work to be written up for the Town Meeting Warrant by February 28, 2006. The Commission needs to find out when to get it to The Selectmen so that it can get on warrant. Miscellaneous: The Library called Sharlene to see if she wanted to learn about the digitization of photos for The Internet. They received a grant from The Historic Trust for the work. They also discussed that the Library will setup a terminal in the Local History Room with access to the Inventory and the contents of the room. The Commission put together copies of the databases on CDs for public access. West Street Historic District asked to work with The Commission to do an organized walk of West Street in the spring. The next meeting will be February 14, 2006 and February 21, 2006. Adjourned 9:15 PM RHC Minutes Rhc2006O2O7.doc Page 2 of 2