HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-25 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission Minutes
October 25, 2005
Attending: Virginia Adams - Chair Roberta. Sullivan Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie ,
Susan Patterson (acting Secretary) Karen Herrick
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Call to order 7:30pm
Past minutes review
Discussion postponed
Treasurer's Report
Warrant signed for $15.08 for cost of photos of 114 and 75 Pleasant St.
Reading Common Impact
Virginia read the draft letter to the Mass. Highway Dept. aloud. Minor changes in
wording and punctuation suggested. Col Hoxie moved to approve revised draft. Roberta
seconded. Vote:3-0-0
West St. road reconstruction
Virginia read letter from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (engineers) giving notification
of reconstruction project and requesting comments from RHC. Roberta moved that RHC
send a letter in response cautioning sensitivity to the historic nature of the area, including
protection of trees, walls and Inventory properties. Also notify of existence of West St.
Historic District Commission. Col. Hoxie seconded. Vote:3-0-0
Demo Delay By-law
Virginia noted that the letter from RHC outlining its position with regard to the
manner and means of enforcing the by-law was sent to town counsel 10-18-05.
75 Pleasant St.
Virginia and Roberta's research into the street directories provides some evidence
that 75 Pleasant was built as a 2-family residence. Walk-through on 10-20-05, with Mark
Hall (contractor), Les Brown (architect), David O'Sullivan (architect), lead to following
opinions in re handling of the building: Mark Hall recommended either gutting the
house, or tearing it down and then replicating it. Les Brown felt the building was a
"borderline tear-down" because it doesn't "show" its historic value; there are numerous
code violations including stairs, railings, ceiling heights, connected bedrooms.
Discussion ensued.
Col. Hoxie moved that RHC send a letter to RHA with a recommendation that the
RHA look into saving the mature trees on the property and reconfiguring the parking
scheme. Seconded by Roberta. Vote:3-0-0
Alternative zoning for historic properties
Hard copies of the North Reading and Andover alternative zoning by-laws to be
produced and distributed. A proposal for Reading to adopt such a by-law should get on
the town warrant as soon as possible.
Avon St. subdivision
RHC asked to suggest street name. Suggestions: Burnap Way; Benjamin Lane
(for Ben Nichols)
Other business
A grant writing workshop devoted to archives is being offered on 11-8-05.
Roberta moved that RHC pay for three people to attend. Virginia seconded. Vote: 3-0-0
Meeting adjourned 9:50pm.