HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-07 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
8/7/01
Attending: Clay Jones
Virginia Adams
Sally Hilgendorff List
Wilbar Hoxie
Louise Sandberg
Sharlene Santo
Call to order: 7:33
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, MASS.
1001 AUG I b P 1: 34
Minutes: Minutes of July 10 approved as amended.
Preservation Planning, a consulting group, is looking for sites in Reading concerned
with either the Revolutionary or the 1812 war. Virginia is going to draft a response.
Train Depot: Virginia and Louise visited the station house restaurant. The new owner
was given a copy of the deed restrictions. The Building inspector should be aware of
activity at the depot and should have a copy of the deed restrictions.
1375 Main St.: The ZBA approved in their decision on Aug. 3. We have until: Aug. 14 to
get the house moved. Reading Housing Authority is considering moving the house to
Audubon St. Their architect will be viewing the house. We need to advertise the house
to potential owners. Clay will contact the developer to ask for more time to facilitate
the move of the house. The commission thought of various potential solutions.
Virginia reminded us that we could still appeal the ZBA ruling. There was general
consensus that it would be impractical to appeal the ZBA ruling at this time. Clay will
contact Dave Barrett to see if he wants the house.
232 West Street: The house has been sold. Les Sidelinker's daughter has bought the
house. Clay feels that the demolition delay scared off a number of developers who
would have torn the house down and it also allowed the commission access to the
building.
Community Preservation Act: The task force is looking for examples of ways the funds
from this act could have helped in the past and in the future. Clay suggested a fund to
provide low interest loans for rehab of historic commercial properties or a tax holiday
for those working on repairing their historic properties. The commission would need
to supply guidelines.
Ghost walk: Virginia suggested a reenactment of a number of individuals buried there.
Perhaps drama students at the high school could portray them.
Treasurer's report: Everything is up to date. The back light for the computer bill was
submitted late so it probably came out of this years budget.
Adjourn: 9:28 Approved as amended LS
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