HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-01 Historical Commission Minutesv
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Reading Historical Commission CL E il~
Minutes . . , D s A April 1, 2003
Attending: 2003 M -I P 2. 6 55
Clayton Jones Sharlene Santo
Roberta Sullivan Sally List
Wilbar Hoxie Mark Cardono
Pat Greichen Virginia Adams, acting secretary
Guests: Peter Hechenbleikner, Kimberly Lynn.
• Library Cell Tower proposal
Peter Hechenbleikner explained Verizon's interest in siting a cell tower at the library.
Verizon wants to occupy a portion of the building, strap antenna to the chimney (chimneys) and
install a generator outside perhaps by the book drop.
Proposal includes a $25,000 per year lease for 20 years with an annual increase. Mitigation
options might include rebuilding the conical turret roofs. Search underway to find original
architectural drawings. Questions include: How rental fee goes to support library and not to
general fund (option - may deposit in a book vendors acc't for library use) and where can the
book drop be relocated.
Kimberly Lynn, Library Director, is considering relocating book drop site to easterly side by
removing steps and using existing stair sidewalls. Free standing drop is impractical considering
high volume of use.
Clay suggested a long term maintenance clause for chimneys, installation of lightning protection,
find turret roof specialists and that changes to the building should be reversible.
Other items noted: need for chimney re-pointing; building is gas heated. Request for Proposals
expected end of April. "to the satisfaction of the RHC" written on some items.
The commission will do a site visit on Thur. April 6, 6pm
• A letter of resignation was received from member, Louise Sandberg.
• Minutes of March 11 approved as corrected.
• Treasurer reported no change since last report.
• Clay reported from board chairmans meeting with Town Manager. The Master Plan
Study Committee plans a visioning session for Apr. 9', at Coolidge Middle School.
Virginia is preparing a slide presentation.
• 320 Haverhill St. copy of deed restrictions received but not yet recorded.
Letter from developer states no one allowed on property without permission.
Motion by Wilbar to write a response that no members had been there. Passed 40.
• 767 Main St A letter from owner, Ingrid Khron thanking RHC for inventory addition and
an interest in applying preservation restrictions to property.
• 717 Pearl St. Barn Owner is frustrated with design. Not ready for ZBA. Demo delay
expires on May 19.
• 572 Haverhill St. will soon be on market. Seek to document and offer assistance to
potential buyers.
• West St. Archstone /Spence Farm. Virginia met with Lyn Whyte of the Housing
Authority to explore interest in moving houses off site for affordable housing.
Lot across the street is for sale. .
• Roberta asked when we might think about including the high school in the Inventory.
Will discuss it again at next meeting.
• Next regular meeting is May 6.
Adjourned at 9:00 pm.