HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-02 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
Minutes
September 2, 2003
Attending:
Virginia Adams
Mark Cardono - Secretary
Pat Greichen
Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie
Clay Jones
Call to Order 7:40 PM
Past Minutes Review:
Sally Hilgendorff List
Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Review minutes of August 5, 2003
Virginia Adams moved that the commission accept the minutes of August 5, 2003. Clay Jones
seconded the motion. Vote - 4-0-0.
Treasurer's report:
No current information
Seminar:
Clay and Virginia attended a seminar about how to date a house by the rings in the lumber
(dendrochronology). They talked to SPNEA about visiting 572 Haverhill Street. They seemed
interested.
SPNEA has a new philosophy regarding removing newer additions on older homes in order to
expose and view the old construction.
Virginia will be attending the "2003 Massachusetts Historic Preservation Conference" at Emerson
College on September 5, 2003.
Reading Depot:
Highlights from the hearing for the signage review:
Only one side of the sign will be lit, and sign will have the Century21 logo on it. Virginia was
present and said that the current lights are fine. The owners are happy about the lighting and
seem very responsive to working with the Commission.
320 Haverhill Street:
The VNA should be opening the hospice soon. The commission should plan a site visit.
10-12 Pierce Street - Pierce Organ Factory:
Clay was contacted by Preservation Mass regarding the application for the most endangered
historic property. They will meet with Virginia on September 4, 2003 to review the property.
The developer that is interested in buying the property, believes it is probably too costly to
develop. However condos are a possibility.
38 Salem Street:
Has a sale pending sign on the property.
743-745Main Street - Formerly Edgerely & Bessom Funeral Home:
The condos are now for sale.
767 Main Street - Winthrop Parker House:
The house is still for sale.
West Street:
There is work being done on a bylaw to create the proposed historic district.
Office space:
Maureen Knight informed Virginia that the Commission has a cubicle next to Maureen, and that
the Commission has a mailbox outside of the Archive Room for interoffice mail.
Miscellaneous:
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An antique dealer, Hal Drury, in New Hampshire came across some papers of the Pratts and
Bancrofts among some other papers that he had purchased for $5. He will mail them to the
Commission.
No news from the Downtown Steering Committee.
Virginia purchased 4" draw pulls, which work on the map case in the Archive Room.
Virginia saw some artifacts of Reading on the "Antiques Road Show" program.
Mail
61 Harrison Street - Demolition application is in process. However it is not in the inventory.
RCTV will interview any commissions in the town provided they sign up in advance. Clay will sign
up for an interview.
NEDC (NorthEast Document Center) has a new book out and some upcoming seminars
Next Meeting: October 7, 2003
Clay will contact the owners of 572 Haverhill Street to arrange for a tour with SPNEA.
Adjourned 8:20 PM
Adrlandi im-
Clay informed Peter Hechenbleikner about the Sailor Tom's Ship.
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