HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-09 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission Minutes ,
March 9, 2004
Attending: Reading Housing Authority
Virginia Adams Sally Hilgendorff List Don Allen
i 'nl
Mark Cardono - Secretary Roberta Sullivan John Coote L
Clay Jones - late arrival Karen Flammia
Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie Lyn Whyte ti F
Call to order 7:40 PM r A °
75 Pleasant Street:
Virginia and Roberta went to the meeting last Monday with the RHA (Reading Housing Authority)
regarding the possible rehabilitation of 75 Pleasant Street, for $160,000.
Introductions of the RHA and the Commission.
Lyn Whyte will be going to the Board of Selectmen to try and save the house through a land swap.
She presented a redesign of the project that would save the house. A packet of information,
including a plot layout, was distributed to the Commission. The new design is meant to appease
all committees involved, and will be presented to the Board of Selectmen at 8:15 PM.
Don Allen spoke about the need to swap land with the Town in order for the project to work, while
saving the house. If they are unable to get approval, from the Town, for the swap, they will have
to go with original plan, which does not include saving the house.
Virginia asked about interior stairwells and what changes would be made to make them
acceptable to low income housing specifications.
John Coote said that the house does not produce a first class living space. It is not small enough
to be a 1-family home, and it is not big enough to be a 2 family home.
Lyn Whyte talked about the plan not changing the look of house, just modifying the stairs and
some internal upgrades.
Virginia suggested that the RHA could use a volunteer to perform the work typically done by the
"Clerk of the Works". This would save them the fee of $15,000, which could be used on saving
- the house. She also suggested that they could bump out the side for the stairs. John Coote
replied that it would be difficult to go through exterior, and the land area is needed for open space.
Lyn Whyte said that the current internal layout has two units. One is a 3 bedroom, and the other
is a 2 bedroom. The latest plan will also have two units. They will both be 2 bedroom units, with
some modifications. The house will end up with 2 basically symmetrical units
Virginia is concerned about deleading the house. Most of the interior is the original woodwork and
should be saved.
Clay arrived 7:50
Clay asked about the current deleading process. The RHA is unsure, but is guessing that they
would probably dip all of the woodwork except for the windows. Clay suggested a new method of
deleading, which uses ultraviolet light.
John Coote asked about the Commission's interests in the interior of home (i.e. replace doors?).
Roberta responded that the Commission is mainly concerned with exterior fabric of the house.
Clay spoke about the work the Commission did with VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) to change
some interior doorways. He also added that if the details of the interior of a house are preserved,
the residents usually keep the exterior in better condition. It gives the residents a better
connection to the Town.
Virginia offered that the Commission would work with the RHA as necessary.
Lyn Whyte brought up their concern of the maintenance issues of old doors. Virginia requested
that if exterior doors are replaced, that they store them for future owners. John Coote added that
the house would not leave the ownership of the RHA, so there would be no need to save the
exterior doors for future owners.
Roberta asked about the property line and the parking for housing residents. The plot plan was
shown. The spaces are labeled "R" for resident, and "V" for visitor. The residents are allowed
one space. The RHA worked with the Town on the parking plan.
RHC Minutes 03092004.doe Page 1 of 2