HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-4 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
Minutes
November 4, 2003
Attending:
Virginia Adams
Mark Cardono - Secretary
Pat Greichen
Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie
Clay Jones
Sally Hilgendorff List
Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Roberta Sullivan
Call to Order 7:40 PM
Past Minutes Review:
Review minutes of October 7, 2003
Virginia moved that the Commission accept the minutes of October 7, 2003. Clay seconded the
motion. Vote - 5-0-0.
Review minutes of October 16, 2003
Virginia moved that the Commission accept the minutes of October 16, 2003. Clay seconded the
motion. Vote - 5-0-0.
75 Pleasant Street:
Clay reported on the site visit at 75 Pleasant Street, on Friday, October 31, 2003. The following
members were in attendance: Virginia Adams, Mark Cardono, Clay Jones, and Sharlene
Reynolds Santo.
During the visit, the members looked through the house in order to determine such things as the
age and style. The basement was the first section of the house that was studied. The members
took measurements, and made some sketches of the unusual beam arrangement. The basement
walls on the North, South, and some of the West were found to be extremely thick. Part of the
basement walls in the southern extension seemed to be missing. Another interesting find in the
basement was the remainder of two separate, but adjacent, stairways. The existence of these
stairways makes the house seem to be originally a two family structure.
On the first floor, there existed no apparent evidence of heat in the parlor. The arrangement of the
2 parlors adds to the appearance of being originally a two family structure. The house was built
overlooking the town center. The location of the original chimneys was not apparent.
Roberta commented that we have not been given any plans, and we should not act on any of this
until the RHA (Reading Housing Authority) applies for a demolition permit.
Clay countered by saying that the more the RHA gets done in the process, the harder it will be to
save the house.
Virginia added that there was a public meeting, of approximately 30 people, where the RHA
presented the plans of the development. However, they did not present any options with the
house untouched. The neighborhood believes it would be too much change, and it would
adversely affect the density of the neighborhood. The neighbors don't want to see the house
demolished.
Clay would like to do some research and show what it would look like without vinyl siding.
Virginia questioned what the 40B rules mean by "in perpetuity".
Virginia and Sharlene did some research on the property and found the following:
Ebenezer Buxton and the Peabody family (his wife's family) are listed in the 1850 Census as
separate families.
Ebenezer Buxton died in 1868 at the young age of 42-43 years old.
It is assumed that the house was built between 1845 and 1850.
The property is listed as part of the first subdivision of Reading farmland in the 1840s.
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Miscellaneous
Virginia presented a newspaper clipping, from western MA, which talked about an organ in
Springfield, MA. The organ is still in use, and was built in Reading by Brenner, Gleason, and
Virginia told the Commission that we received a lot of information from the remodeling of the
Senior Center. Some of the booty includes papers, old plaques, and part of the brass fire pole.
There has been no news of the Stream Team working at Lobbs Pond. The Commission should
keep in contact.
Granite for the houses in Reading may have come from Chelmsford, MA.
Mass Historic is trying to get Camp Curtis Guild on the National Register. The buildings meet the
criteria, but more surveying is needed.
Legal notice from LIP (Local Initiative Program) - There will be a hearing about putting 36 units on
Salem Street. The property is near REI and the RMV.
Sailor Tom's - Engineer suggested to the owner that he should speak with the Commission.
Virginia added that we should document the structure.
Indian Artifact - Wilbar is working on it.
Next meeting December 2, 2003
Adjourned 9:20 PM
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