HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-27 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
Minutes
May 27, 2003
Attending:
Virginia Adams
Mark Cardono - Secretary
Lt. Col. Wilbar Hoxie
Sally Hilgendorff List
Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Roberta Sullivan
Call to Order: 7:40 PM
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Owners of 456
Haverhill Street:
Dean Whitehouse
Lucie Draper
Public Hearinq for demolition delay on 456 Haverhill Street
Dean Whitehouse described the need for demolition of the barn, the attached ell
and the shed addition.
Barn - Has been greatly modified, and unsafe. Has no plans to rebuild the barn.
Ell - Is in poor condition, made to look like timber frame. Remove to put addition
on that will possibly reach the barn.
Shed Addition - Is newer (i.e. stick framing). Remove to put addition on that will
possibly reach the barn.
Virginia Adams reported:The property is on the National Register. It was built
around 1809 and is of the `Federal Vernacular' style. The barn is on the
inventory as an outbuilding.
Discussion
No plans are currently available for the addition. The proposed addition is
described as being 7 feet wider and 1 Y2 times longer than the ell and shed. The
barn will not be replaced. Door on the west end of the house will fall within the
addition.
Commission: Requests to see the demolition and document it. Request for
possible deed restrictions. Fear of the demolition going too far.
Owners: Agreeable to requests and to keeping the original house unaffected by
the demolition. Any further demolition would require more demolition permits.
Roberta made a motion to close the public hearing on the demolition delay
of 456 Haverhill Street. Wilbar seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0
Roberta made a motion that the demolition delay bylaw be invoked on
both portions of the ell "extension" portion of the house at 456 Haverhill Street, as
presented in the attachment to the application for demolition dated April 24,
2003, under 5.13.3.5 of the demolition delay bylaw. Mark seconded the motion.
Vote: 4-0-0
Mark made a motion that the demolition delay bylaw not be invoked on the
barn at 456 Haverhill Street, as presented in the attachment to the application of
demolition dated April 24, 2003. The Commission determined that it would not
be detrimental to the historical or architectural heritage of the town, per 5.13.3.5
of the demolition delay bylaw. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0
Commission will request that the owners try to salvage the timbers.
Clay Jones enters the meeting 9:20 PM.
Minutes - Review of May 22, 2003. Clay made a motion to approve the minutes
from May 22, 2003. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote 5-0-0
Review of May 23, 2003. Virginia made a motion to approve the minutes
from May 23, 2003. Roberta seconded the motion. Vote 5-0-0
Treasurer's report - No current bills.
Miscellaneous - Clay received a request to write a story for the History News,
about the Historical Commission and how it relates to the Ipswich River.
Wilbar reported on a large dumpster outside of the old blacksmith shop on
Ash Street. Clay had already spoken with the owner, and found there were 2X6
joists and small posts. Possibly late 19th century.
Chris Reilly requested having a featured house of the month on the town's
website.
An offer was made on 572 Haverhill Street.
Website - how to improve?
Reduced Liability training - June 2, 2003 6:30 PM.
Town Common - Virginia spoke with Susan Bow, of "Adopt an Island", regarding
the disapproval of the Eric's Greenhouse planting on the Common.
The Downtown Steering Committee would like to do a plan for the
Common's plantings.
1954 High School Reunion - Requested old pictures for a pamphlet.
There is a Bill that is coming up that would provide up to a 30% reduction of state
income tax for any work performed on both commercial and private National
Register properties.
Exxon station on Walkers Brook Drive is planned to be demolished to make
room for a convenience store with gas pumps.
June 2, 2003 Meeting cancelled.
Virginia had expenses for the `Moved House' slide show on May 22, 2003. Clay
made a motion that Virginia be reimbursed $20.24. Roberta seconded the
motion. Vote: 5-0-0
Adjourned 9:55 PM